Quick Question

[Guest]

First off I just wanted to say thanks in advance for those that help me. I think it's super-cool that people devote their time to helping others.

OK, so onto the problem....

I'm just a little confused as to where I should start here. I was given this problem:

The SnapPic Company determines that its cost for producing disposable cameras is modeled by C(x) = 60 + radical(3x + 5) where x represents the cost of production in hundreds of dollars.

Determine the average cost function AC (Average Cost).


Before this, we were doing derivatives, average costs, marginal costs, etc. but now I'm confused on where to start because of the radical. We somewhat learned about Generalized Power Rules, but I'm not sure if I carry out that task first, or solve for the average cost first (AC(x) = C(x)/x ?). I've searched my textbook and online and can't seem to find the answer to my query, so I'm asking here. I have a feeling that once I get pointed in the right direction I'll be fine.

Thanks for your help again.

 

[wjm11]

Hi, Art,

It would be my opinion that you have answered your own question correctly:

AC(x) = C(x)/x

(though I don't claim to be an expert in this area) where x is the number of units produced -- not "where x represents the cost of production in hundreds of dollars."

 

[Razor X]

this problem makes me think of the average value of a function (sorry too late to learn TeX, the below is a definate intergral):

C_ave = 1/(b-a) * Intergral[C(x)dx from a to b]

so the average value FUNCTION is:

C(x)_ave = 1/(x-a) * Intergral[C(t)dt from a to x]

however im not sure if the average cost function has a different definition in your application, the above examples are mathematical definitions for functions in general.