Find maximum value of $frac xy$












6












$begingroup$



If $x^2-30x+y^2-40y+576=0$, find the maximum value of $dfrac xy$.




First I completed the squares and got $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2$, which is the equation of a circle.



I think I need to use some properties but I don't know what to do next.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Try sketching the circle and considering lines that pass through both the circle and the origin. When is the gradient maximised and minimised?
    $endgroup$
    – B.Martin
    Jan 8 at 3:37












  • $begingroup$
    There are at least a few points on the circle with integer coordinates; for instance, 7 units straight up from the center, or right, or down, or left. Draw yourself a picture, find the ratios $x/y$ for those points. Actually, use a calculator and write in decimal approximations
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:41










  • $begingroup$
    just so you know, no calculus is required. Given a correct drawing of the circle, the point of interest can be constructed with compass and straightedge
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:57
















6












$begingroup$



If $x^2-30x+y^2-40y+576=0$, find the maximum value of $dfrac xy$.




First I completed the squares and got $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2$, which is the equation of a circle.



I think I need to use some properties but I don't know what to do next.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Try sketching the circle and considering lines that pass through both the circle and the origin. When is the gradient maximised and minimised?
    $endgroup$
    – B.Martin
    Jan 8 at 3:37












  • $begingroup$
    There are at least a few points on the circle with integer coordinates; for instance, 7 units straight up from the center, or right, or down, or left. Draw yourself a picture, find the ratios $x/y$ for those points. Actually, use a calculator and write in decimal approximations
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:41










  • $begingroup$
    just so you know, no calculus is required. Given a correct drawing of the circle, the point of interest can be constructed with compass and straightedge
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:57














6












6








6


1



$begingroup$



If $x^2-30x+y^2-40y+576=0$, find the maximum value of $dfrac xy$.




First I completed the squares and got $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2$, which is the equation of a circle.



I think I need to use some properties but I don't know what to do next.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$





If $x^2-30x+y^2-40y+576=0$, find the maximum value of $dfrac xy$.




First I completed the squares and got $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2$, which is the equation of a circle.



I think I need to use some properties but I don't know what to do next.







algebra-precalculus optimization maxima-minima discriminant






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Jan 8 at 10:31









Michael Rozenberg

99k1590189




99k1590189










asked Jan 8 at 3:19









HeartHeart

25716




25716








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Try sketching the circle and considering lines that pass through both the circle and the origin. When is the gradient maximised and minimised?
    $endgroup$
    – B.Martin
    Jan 8 at 3:37












  • $begingroup$
    There are at least a few points on the circle with integer coordinates; for instance, 7 units straight up from the center, or right, or down, or left. Draw yourself a picture, find the ratios $x/y$ for those points. Actually, use a calculator and write in decimal approximations
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:41










  • $begingroup$
    just so you know, no calculus is required. Given a correct drawing of the circle, the point of interest can be constructed with compass and straightedge
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:57














  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Try sketching the circle and considering lines that pass through both the circle and the origin. When is the gradient maximised and minimised?
    $endgroup$
    – B.Martin
    Jan 8 at 3:37












  • $begingroup$
    There are at least a few points on the circle with integer coordinates; for instance, 7 units straight up from the center, or right, or down, or left. Draw yourself a picture, find the ratios $x/y$ for those points. Actually, use a calculator and write in decimal approximations
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:41










  • $begingroup$
    just so you know, no calculus is required. Given a correct drawing of the circle, the point of interest can be constructed with compass and straightedge
    $endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Jan 8 at 3:57








3




3




$begingroup$
Try sketching the circle and considering lines that pass through both the circle and the origin. When is the gradient maximised and minimised?
$endgroup$
– B.Martin
Jan 8 at 3:37






$begingroup$
Try sketching the circle and considering lines that pass through both the circle and the origin. When is the gradient maximised and minimised?
$endgroup$
– B.Martin
Jan 8 at 3:37














$begingroup$
There are at least a few points on the circle with integer coordinates; for instance, 7 units straight up from the center, or right, or down, or left. Draw yourself a picture, find the ratios $x/y$ for those points. Actually, use a calculator and write in decimal approximations
$endgroup$
– Will Jagy
Jan 8 at 3:41




$begingroup$
There are at least a few points on the circle with integer coordinates; for instance, 7 units straight up from the center, or right, or down, or left. Draw yourself a picture, find the ratios $x/y$ for those points. Actually, use a calculator and write in decimal approximations
$endgroup$
– Will Jagy
Jan 8 at 3:41












$begingroup$
just so you know, no calculus is required. Given a correct drawing of the circle, the point of interest can be constructed with compass and straightedge
$endgroup$
– Will Jagy
Jan 8 at 3:57




$begingroup$
just so you know, no calculus is required. Given a correct drawing of the circle, the point of interest can be constructed with compass and straightedge
$endgroup$
– Will Jagy
Jan 8 at 3:57










6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















1












$begingroup$

1)Circle $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2;$



Maximum of $C:= x/y:$



2) Line $y=(1/C)x = mx$ , where $m= 1/C$.



Minimize $m$(m >0 , why?)



There are 2 tangents to the circle that pass through origin.



Distance formula (point to line):



$ left | dfrac{-m(15)+ 1(20)}{sqrt{m^2+1}}right |=7.$



Quadratic equation in $m$.



Use the smaller solution $m$ to get $C_{max} (=1/m).$



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_from_a_point_to_a_line






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$





















    3












    $begingroup$

    Using the (7,24,25) Pythagorean triangle in the diagram, I get the tangent point
    $$ left( frac{96}{5}, frac{72}{5} right) $$
    and the maximum of $x/y$ on the circle as $4/3.$
    enter image description here



    ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Will Jagy.Nice+.
      $endgroup$
      – Peter Szilas
      Jan 8 at 7:37



















    2












    $begingroup$

    $x=15+7cos2t,y=20+7sin2t$



    Use Weierstrass Substitution (https://proofwiki.org/wiki/Weierstrass_Substitution)



    and
    Minimum value of given expression






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$





















      1












      $begingroup$

      An alternative method, uses calculus. Similar to Sauhard Sharma's answer.





      First note, this is the equation of a circle centred on $(15,20)$ of radius $7$, so it does not reach the $x$ axis (otherwise you'd be able to get arbitrarily large values for $x/y$). The value of $x/y$ is obviously going to be maximised on the lower half of the circle, since these have lower values of $y$, with the same values of $x$ as the corresponding points in the upper half of the circle. So we can write $$y=20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}$$



      We want to maximise $$f=frac xy=frac{x}{20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}}$$
      The range of $x$ is $[8,22]$. First we can check if this function has any maxima (or equivalently, if its reciprocal has a minimum).



      $$frac{d(1/f)}{dx}=frac{d}{dx}left(frac{20}x-sqrt{frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2}right)=0\-frac{20}{x^2}-frac12left(-frac{49cdot2}{x^3}-2left(1-frac{15}xright)left(frac{15}{x^2}right)right)left(frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2right)^{-1/2}=0\left(frac{49}{x^3}+frac{15}{x^2}-frac{225}{x^3}right)^2=frac{400}{x^4}left(frac{49}{x^2}-1+frac{30}{x}-frac{225}{x^2}right)\left(15x-176right)^2=400left(-x^2+{30}x-176right)\625x^2-17280x+101396=0$$This has solutions $$x_pm=frac{1728}{125}pmfrac{2sqrt{112771}}{125}$$ To maximise $x/y$, we choose the largest value of $x$, giving $x_+=19.197dots$, which corresponds to $y=14.3977dots$. This gives $$frac xy=1.3333dotsapproxfrac43$$






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$





















        1












        $begingroup$

        I used straight up calculus here to get the answer.



        Let's start with the fact that the maximum point will have to satisfy the circle equation. So writing



        $$x = 15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}$$
        We get the ratio as



        $$R = frac{15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}}{y}$$



        Differentiating this and setting to $0$ would give you a long and harrowing equation to solve which would result in this



        $$625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$$
        Solving this you'd get two values $y=22.464$ or $y=14.39999$



        Checking the corresponding ratios(we ignore the negative values as they will only lower $x$ and hence cannot be a part of maxima). Between the two values and testing random values on the boundary of the circle, we conclude that the maximum is for $y=14.399999$, we get an $x=19.199999$ resulting in a ratio of



        $$frac xy = 1.3333$$



        NOTE - I left out a lot of intermediary equation solving which is not difficult, just time consuming and complex. If you want I can add that as well






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$













        • $begingroup$
          Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
          $endgroup$
          – Claude Leibovici
          Jan 8 at 5:53










        • $begingroup$
          @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
          $endgroup$
          – Sauhard Sharma
          Jan 8 at 6:20










        • $begingroup$
          First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
          $endgroup$
          – Claude Leibovici
          Jan 8 at 6:24



















        1












        $begingroup$

        Let $frac{x}{y}=k$.



        Thus, $x=ky$ and the equation
        $$k^2y^2-30ky+y^2-40y+576=0$$ or
        $$(k^2+1)y^2-2(15k+20)y+576=0$$ has real roots, which says that the discriminant must be non-negative.



        Id est, $$(15k+20)^2-576(k^2+1)geq0$$ or
        $$351k^2-600k+176leq0$$ or
        $$frac{44}{117}leq kleqfrac{4}{3}.$$
        The value $frac{4}{3}$ occurs for $$y=frac{15k+20}{k^2+1}=14.4$$ and $$x=14.4cdotfrac{4}{3}=19.2,$$ which says that $frac{4}{3}$ is a maximal value.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$













        • $begingroup$
          This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
          $endgroup$
          – Heart
          Jan 8 at 12:05










        • $begingroup$
          @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
          $endgroup$
          – Michael Rozenberg
          Jan 8 at 12:12











        Your Answer





        StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
        return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
        StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
        StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
        });
        });
        }, "mathjax-editing");

        StackExchange.ready(function() {
        var channelOptions = {
        tags: "".split(" "),
        id: "69"
        };
        initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

        StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
        // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
        if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
        StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
        createEditor();
        });
        }
        else {
        createEditor();
        }
        });

        function createEditor() {
        StackExchange.prepareEditor({
        heartbeatType: 'answer',
        autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
        convertImagesToLinks: true,
        noModals: true,
        showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
        reputationToPostImages: 10,
        bindNavPrevention: true,
        postfix: "",
        imageUploader: {
        brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
        contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
        allowUrls: true
        },
        noCode: true, onDemand: true,
        discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
        ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
        });


        }
        });














        draft saved

        draft discarded


















        StackExchange.ready(
        function () {
        StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3065769%2ffind-maximum-value-of-frac-xy%23new-answer', 'question_page');
        }
        );

        Post as a guest















        Required, but never shown

























        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes








        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        1












        $begingroup$

        1)Circle $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2;$



        Maximum of $C:= x/y:$



        2) Line $y=(1/C)x = mx$ , where $m= 1/C$.



        Minimize $m$(m >0 , why?)



        There are 2 tangents to the circle that pass through origin.



        Distance formula (point to line):



        $ left | dfrac{-m(15)+ 1(20)}{sqrt{m^2+1}}right |=7.$



        Quadratic equation in $m$.



        Use the smaller solution $m$ to get $C_{max} (=1/m).$



        https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_from_a_point_to_a_line






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$


















          1












          $begingroup$

          1)Circle $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2;$



          Maximum of $C:= x/y:$



          2) Line $y=(1/C)x = mx$ , where $m= 1/C$.



          Minimize $m$(m >0 , why?)



          There are 2 tangents to the circle that pass through origin.



          Distance formula (point to line):



          $ left | dfrac{-m(15)+ 1(20)}{sqrt{m^2+1}}right |=7.$



          Quadratic equation in $m$.



          Use the smaller solution $m$ to get $C_{max} (=1/m).$



          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_from_a_point_to_a_line






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$
















            1












            1








            1





            $begingroup$

            1)Circle $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2;$



            Maximum of $C:= x/y:$



            2) Line $y=(1/C)x = mx$ , where $m= 1/C$.



            Minimize $m$(m >0 , why?)



            There are 2 tangents to the circle that pass through origin.



            Distance formula (point to line):



            $ left | dfrac{-m(15)+ 1(20)}{sqrt{m^2+1}}right |=7.$



            Quadratic equation in $m$.



            Use the smaller solution $m$ to get $C_{max} (=1/m).$



            https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_from_a_point_to_a_line






            share|cite|improve this answer











            $endgroup$



            1)Circle $(x-15)^2+(y-20)^2=7^2;$



            Maximum of $C:= x/y:$



            2) Line $y=(1/C)x = mx$ , where $m= 1/C$.



            Minimize $m$(m >0 , why?)



            There are 2 tangents to the circle that pass through origin.



            Distance formula (point to line):



            $ left | dfrac{-m(15)+ 1(20)}{sqrt{m^2+1}}right |=7.$



            Quadratic equation in $m$.



            Use the smaller solution $m$ to get $C_{max} (=1/m).$



            https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_from_a_point_to_a_line







            share|cite|improve this answer














            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer








            edited Jan 8 at 10:06

























            answered Jan 8 at 7:25









            Peter SzilasPeter Szilas

            11k2821




            11k2821























                3












                $begingroup$

                Using the (7,24,25) Pythagorean triangle in the diagram, I get the tangent point
                $$ left( frac{96}{5}, frac{72}{5} right) $$
                and the maximum of $x/y$ on the circle as $4/3.$
                enter image description here



                ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$













                • $begingroup$
                  Will Jagy.Nice+.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Peter Szilas
                  Jan 8 at 7:37
















                3












                $begingroup$

                Using the (7,24,25) Pythagorean triangle in the diagram, I get the tangent point
                $$ left( frac{96}{5}, frac{72}{5} right) $$
                and the maximum of $x/y$ on the circle as $4/3.$
                enter image description here



                ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$













                • $begingroup$
                  Will Jagy.Nice+.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Peter Szilas
                  Jan 8 at 7:37














                3












                3








                3





                $begingroup$

                Using the (7,24,25) Pythagorean triangle in the diagram, I get the tangent point
                $$ left( frac{96}{5}, frac{72}{5} right) $$
                and the maximum of $x/y$ on the circle as $4/3.$
                enter image description here



                ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$



                Using the (7,24,25) Pythagorean triangle in the diagram, I get the tangent point
                $$ left( frac{96}{5}, frac{72}{5} right) $$
                and the maximum of $x/y$ on the circle as $4/3.$
                enter image description here



                ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;







                share|cite|improve this answer














                share|cite|improve this answer



                share|cite|improve this answer








                edited Jan 8 at 18:40

























                answered Jan 8 at 4:54









                Will JagyWill Jagy

                102k5101199




                102k5101199












                • $begingroup$
                  Will Jagy.Nice+.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Peter Szilas
                  Jan 8 at 7:37


















                • $begingroup$
                  Will Jagy.Nice+.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Peter Szilas
                  Jan 8 at 7:37
















                $begingroup$
                Will Jagy.Nice+.
                $endgroup$
                – Peter Szilas
                Jan 8 at 7:37




                $begingroup$
                Will Jagy.Nice+.
                $endgroup$
                – Peter Szilas
                Jan 8 at 7:37











                2












                $begingroup$

                $x=15+7cos2t,y=20+7sin2t$



                Use Weierstrass Substitution (https://proofwiki.org/wiki/Weierstrass_Substitution)



                and
                Minimum value of given expression






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$


















                  2












                  $begingroup$

                  $x=15+7cos2t,y=20+7sin2t$



                  Use Weierstrass Substitution (https://proofwiki.org/wiki/Weierstrass_Substitution)



                  and
                  Minimum value of given expression






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$
















                    2












                    2








                    2





                    $begingroup$

                    $x=15+7cos2t,y=20+7sin2t$



                    Use Weierstrass Substitution (https://proofwiki.org/wiki/Weierstrass_Substitution)



                    and
                    Minimum value of given expression






                    share|cite|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$



                    $x=15+7cos2t,y=20+7sin2t$



                    Use Weierstrass Substitution (https://proofwiki.org/wiki/Weierstrass_Substitution)



                    and
                    Minimum value of given expression







                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer










                    answered Jan 8 at 4:05









                    lab bhattacharjeelab bhattacharjee

                    224k15156274




                    224k15156274























                        1












                        $begingroup$

                        An alternative method, uses calculus. Similar to Sauhard Sharma's answer.





                        First note, this is the equation of a circle centred on $(15,20)$ of radius $7$, so it does not reach the $x$ axis (otherwise you'd be able to get arbitrarily large values for $x/y$). The value of $x/y$ is obviously going to be maximised on the lower half of the circle, since these have lower values of $y$, with the same values of $x$ as the corresponding points in the upper half of the circle. So we can write $$y=20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}$$



                        We want to maximise $$f=frac xy=frac{x}{20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}}$$
                        The range of $x$ is $[8,22]$. First we can check if this function has any maxima (or equivalently, if its reciprocal has a minimum).



                        $$frac{d(1/f)}{dx}=frac{d}{dx}left(frac{20}x-sqrt{frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2}right)=0\-frac{20}{x^2}-frac12left(-frac{49cdot2}{x^3}-2left(1-frac{15}xright)left(frac{15}{x^2}right)right)left(frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2right)^{-1/2}=0\left(frac{49}{x^3}+frac{15}{x^2}-frac{225}{x^3}right)^2=frac{400}{x^4}left(frac{49}{x^2}-1+frac{30}{x}-frac{225}{x^2}right)\left(15x-176right)^2=400left(-x^2+{30}x-176right)\625x^2-17280x+101396=0$$This has solutions $$x_pm=frac{1728}{125}pmfrac{2sqrt{112771}}{125}$$ To maximise $x/y$, we choose the largest value of $x$, giving $x_+=19.197dots$, which corresponds to $y=14.3977dots$. This gives $$frac xy=1.3333dotsapproxfrac43$$






                        share|cite|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$


















                          1












                          $begingroup$

                          An alternative method, uses calculus. Similar to Sauhard Sharma's answer.





                          First note, this is the equation of a circle centred on $(15,20)$ of radius $7$, so it does not reach the $x$ axis (otherwise you'd be able to get arbitrarily large values for $x/y$). The value of $x/y$ is obviously going to be maximised on the lower half of the circle, since these have lower values of $y$, with the same values of $x$ as the corresponding points in the upper half of the circle. So we can write $$y=20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}$$



                          We want to maximise $$f=frac xy=frac{x}{20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}}$$
                          The range of $x$ is $[8,22]$. First we can check if this function has any maxima (or equivalently, if its reciprocal has a minimum).



                          $$frac{d(1/f)}{dx}=frac{d}{dx}left(frac{20}x-sqrt{frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2}right)=0\-frac{20}{x^2}-frac12left(-frac{49cdot2}{x^3}-2left(1-frac{15}xright)left(frac{15}{x^2}right)right)left(frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2right)^{-1/2}=0\left(frac{49}{x^3}+frac{15}{x^2}-frac{225}{x^3}right)^2=frac{400}{x^4}left(frac{49}{x^2}-1+frac{30}{x}-frac{225}{x^2}right)\left(15x-176right)^2=400left(-x^2+{30}x-176right)\625x^2-17280x+101396=0$$This has solutions $$x_pm=frac{1728}{125}pmfrac{2sqrt{112771}}{125}$$ To maximise $x/y$, we choose the largest value of $x$, giving $x_+=19.197dots$, which corresponds to $y=14.3977dots$. This gives $$frac xy=1.3333dotsapproxfrac43$$






                          share|cite|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$
















                            1












                            1








                            1





                            $begingroup$

                            An alternative method, uses calculus. Similar to Sauhard Sharma's answer.





                            First note, this is the equation of a circle centred on $(15,20)$ of radius $7$, so it does not reach the $x$ axis (otherwise you'd be able to get arbitrarily large values for $x/y$). The value of $x/y$ is obviously going to be maximised on the lower half of the circle, since these have lower values of $y$, with the same values of $x$ as the corresponding points in the upper half of the circle. So we can write $$y=20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}$$



                            We want to maximise $$f=frac xy=frac{x}{20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}}$$
                            The range of $x$ is $[8,22]$. First we can check if this function has any maxima (or equivalently, if its reciprocal has a minimum).



                            $$frac{d(1/f)}{dx}=frac{d}{dx}left(frac{20}x-sqrt{frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2}right)=0\-frac{20}{x^2}-frac12left(-frac{49cdot2}{x^3}-2left(1-frac{15}xright)left(frac{15}{x^2}right)right)left(frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2right)^{-1/2}=0\left(frac{49}{x^3}+frac{15}{x^2}-frac{225}{x^3}right)^2=frac{400}{x^4}left(frac{49}{x^2}-1+frac{30}{x}-frac{225}{x^2}right)\left(15x-176right)^2=400left(-x^2+{30}x-176right)\625x^2-17280x+101396=0$$This has solutions $$x_pm=frac{1728}{125}pmfrac{2sqrt{112771}}{125}$$ To maximise $x/y$, we choose the largest value of $x$, giving $x_+=19.197dots$, which corresponds to $y=14.3977dots$. This gives $$frac xy=1.3333dotsapproxfrac43$$






                            share|cite|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            An alternative method, uses calculus. Similar to Sauhard Sharma's answer.





                            First note, this is the equation of a circle centred on $(15,20)$ of radius $7$, so it does not reach the $x$ axis (otherwise you'd be able to get arbitrarily large values for $x/y$). The value of $x/y$ is obviously going to be maximised on the lower half of the circle, since these have lower values of $y$, with the same values of $x$ as the corresponding points in the upper half of the circle. So we can write $$y=20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}$$



                            We want to maximise $$f=frac xy=frac{x}{20-sqrt{49-(x-15)^2}}$$
                            The range of $x$ is $[8,22]$. First we can check if this function has any maxima (or equivalently, if its reciprocal has a minimum).



                            $$frac{d(1/f)}{dx}=frac{d}{dx}left(frac{20}x-sqrt{frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2}right)=0\-frac{20}{x^2}-frac12left(-frac{49cdot2}{x^3}-2left(1-frac{15}xright)left(frac{15}{x^2}right)right)left(frac{49}{x^2}-left(1-frac{15}xright)^2right)^{-1/2}=0\left(frac{49}{x^3}+frac{15}{x^2}-frac{225}{x^3}right)^2=frac{400}{x^4}left(frac{49}{x^2}-1+frac{30}{x}-frac{225}{x^2}right)\left(15x-176right)^2=400left(-x^2+{30}x-176right)\625x^2-17280x+101396=0$$This has solutions $$x_pm=frac{1728}{125}pmfrac{2sqrt{112771}}{125}$$ To maximise $x/y$, we choose the largest value of $x$, giving $x_+=19.197dots$, which corresponds to $y=14.3977dots$. This gives $$frac xy=1.3333dotsapproxfrac43$$







                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            share|cite|improve this answer



                            share|cite|improve this answer










                            answered Jan 8 at 5:00









                            John DoeJohn Doe

                            11.1k11238




                            11.1k11238























                                1












                                $begingroup$

                                I used straight up calculus here to get the answer.



                                Let's start with the fact that the maximum point will have to satisfy the circle equation. So writing



                                $$x = 15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}$$
                                We get the ratio as



                                $$R = frac{15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}}{y}$$



                                Differentiating this and setting to $0$ would give you a long and harrowing equation to solve which would result in this



                                $$625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$$
                                Solving this you'd get two values $y=22.464$ or $y=14.39999$



                                Checking the corresponding ratios(we ignore the negative values as they will only lower $x$ and hence cannot be a part of maxima). Between the two values and testing random values on the boundary of the circle, we conclude that the maximum is for $y=14.399999$, we get an $x=19.199999$ resulting in a ratio of



                                $$frac xy = 1.3333$$



                                NOTE - I left out a lot of intermediary equation solving which is not difficult, just time consuming and complex. If you want I can add that as well






                                share|cite|improve this answer











                                $endgroup$













                                • $begingroup$
                                  Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 5:53










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sauhard Sharma
                                  Jan 8 at 6:20










                                • $begingroup$
                                  First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 6:24
















                                1












                                $begingroup$

                                I used straight up calculus here to get the answer.



                                Let's start with the fact that the maximum point will have to satisfy the circle equation. So writing



                                $$x = 15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}$$
                                We get the ratio as



                                $$R = frac{15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}}{y}$$



                                Differentiating this and setting to $0$ would give you a long and harrowing equation to solve which would result in this



                                $$625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$$
                                Solving this you'd get two values $y=22.464$ or $y=14.39999$



                                Checking the corresponding ratios(we ignore the negative values as they will only lower $x$ and hence cannot be a part of maxima). Between the two values and testing random values on the boundary of the circle, we conclude that the maximum is for $y=14.399999$, we get an $x=19.199999$ resulting in a ratio of



                                $$frac xy = 1.3333$$



                                NOTE - I left out a lot of intermediary equation solving which is not difficult, just time consuming and complex. If you want I can add that as well






                                share|cite|improve this answer











                                $endgroup$













                                • $begingroup$
                                  Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 5:53










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sauhard Sharma
                                  Jan 8 at 6:20










                                • $begingroup$
                                  First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 6:24














                                1












                                1








                                1





                                $begingroup$

                                I used straight up calculus here to get the answer.



                                Let's start with the fact that the maximum point will have to satisfy the circle equation. So writing



                                $$x = 15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}$$
                                We get the ratio as



                                $$R = frac{15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}}{y}$$



                                Differentiating this and setting to $0$ would give you a long and harrowing equation to solve which would result in this



                                $$625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$$
                                Solving this you'd get two values $y=22.464$ or $y=14.39999$



                                Checking the corresponding ratios(we ignore the negative values as they will only lower $x$ and hence cannot be a part of maxima). Between the two values and testing random values on the boundary of the circle, we conclude that the maximum is for $y=14.399999$, we get an $x=19.199999$ resulting in a ratio of



                                $$frac xy = 1.3333$$



                                NOTE - I left out a lot of intermediary equation solving which is not difficult, just time consuming and complex. If you want I can add that as well






                                share|cite|improve this answer











                                $endgroup$



                                I used straight up calculus here to get the answer.



                                Let's start with the fact that the maximum point will have to satisfy the circle equation. So writing



                                $$x = 15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}$$
                                We get the ratio as



                                $$R = frac{15 + sqrt{49 - (y-20)^2}}{y}$$



                                Differentiating this and setting to $0$ would give you a long and harrowing equation to solve which would result in this



                                $$625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$$
                                Solving this you'd get two values $y=22.464$ or $y=14.39999$



                                Checking the corresponding ratios(we ignore the negative values as they will only lower $x$ and hence cannot be a part of maxima). Between the two values and testing random values on the boundary of the circle, we conclude that the maximum is for $y=14.399999$, we get an $x=19.199999$ resulting in a ratio of



                                $$frac xy = 1.3333$$



                                NOTE - I left out a lot of intermediary equation solving which is not difficult, just time consuming and complex. If you want I can add that as well







                                share|cite|improve this answer














                                share|cite|improve this answer



                                share|cite|improve this answer








                                edited Jan 8 at 9:12

























                                answered Jan 8 at 4:15









                                Sauhard SharmaSauhard Sharma

                                930318




                                930318












                                • $begingroup$
                                  Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 5:53










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sauhard Sharma
                                  Jan 8 at 6:20










                                • $begingroup$
                                  First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 6:24


















                                • $begingroup$
                                  Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 5:53










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sauhard Sharma
                                  Jan 8 at 6:20










                                • $begingroup$
                                  First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Claude Leibovici
                                  Jan 8 at 6:24
















                                $begingroup$
                                Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
                                $endgroup$
                                – Claude Leibovici
                                Jan 8 at 5:53




                                $begingroup$
                                Just to kidd you, solving $625y^2 -23040y +202176=0$ gives as exact solutions $y_1=frac {72}5=22.464$ and $y_2=frac{2808}{125}=14.4$
                                $endgroup$
                                – Claude Leibovici
                                Jan 8 at 5:53












                                $begingroup$
                                @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
                                $endgroup$
                                – Sauhard Sharma
                                Jan 8 at 6:20




                                $begingroup$
                                @ClaudeLeibovici I used an online quadratic equation solver to solve it :)
                                $endgroup$
                                – Sauhard Sharma
                                Jan 8 at 6:20












                                $begingroup$
                                First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Claude Leibovici
                                Jan 8 at 6:24




                                $begingroup$
                                First, it was for kidding ! Second, I did it with my phone !! Cheers.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Claude Leibovici
                                Jan 8 at 6:24











                                1












                                $begingroup$

                                Let $frac{x}{y}=k$.



                                Thus, $x=ky$ and the equation
                                $$k^2y^2-30ky+y^2-40y+576=0$$ or
                                $$(k^2+1)y^2-2(15k+20)y+576=0$$ has real roots, which says that the discriminant must be non-negative.



                                Id est, $$(15k+20)^2-576(k^2+1)geq0$$ or
                                $$351k^2-600k+176leq0$$ or
                                $$frac{44}{117}leq kleqfrac{4}{3}.$$
                                The value $frac{4}{3}$ occurs for $$y=frac{15k+20}{k^2+1}=14.4$$ and $$x=14.4cdotfrac{4}{3}=19.2,$$ which says that $frac{4}{3}$ is a maximal value.






                                share|cite|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$













                                • $begingroup$
                                  This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Heart
                                  Jan 8 at 12:05










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Michael Rozenberg
                                  Jan 8 at 12:12
















                                1












                                $begingroup$

                                Let $frac{x}{y}=k$.



                                Thus, $x=ky$ and the equation
                                $$k^2y^2-30ky+y^2-40y+576=0$$ or
                                $$(k^2+1)y^2-2(15k+20)y+576=0$$ has real roots, which says that the discriminant must be non-negative.



                                Id est, $$(15k+20)^2-576(k^2+1)geq0$$ or
                                $$351k^2-600k+176leq0$$ or
                                $$frac{44}{117}leq kleqfrac{4}{3}.$$
                                The value $frac{4}{3}$ occurs for $$y=frac{15k+20}{k^2+1}=14.4$$ and $$x=14.4cdotfrac{4}{3}=19.2,$$ which says that $frac{4}{3}$ is a maximal value.






                                share|cite|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$













                                • $begingroup$
                                  This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Heart
                                  Jan 8 at 12:05










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Michael Rozenberg
                                  Jan 8 at 12:12














                                1












                                1








                                1





                                $begingroup$

                                Let $frac{x}{y}=k$.



                                Thus, $x=ky$ and the equation
                                $$k^2y^2-30ky+y^2-40y+576=0$$ or
                                $$(k^2+1)y^2-2(15k+20)y+576=0$$ has real roots, which says that the discriminant must be non-negative.



                                Id est, $$(15k+20)^2-576(k^2+1)geq0$$ or
                                $$351k^2-600k+176leq0$$ or
                                $$frac{44}{117}leq kleqfrac{4}{3}.$$
                                The value $frac{4}{3}$ occurs for $$y=frac{15k+20}{k^2+1}=14.4$$ and $$x=14.4cdotfrac{4}{3}=19.2,$$ which says that $frac{4}{3}$ is a maximal value.






                                share|cite|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$



                                Let $frac{x}{y}=k$.



                                Thus, $x=ky$ and the equation
                                $$k^2y^2-30ky+y^2-40y+576=0$$ or
                                $$(k^2+1)y^2-2(15k+20)y+576=0$$ has real roots, which says that the discriminant must be non-negative.



                                Id est, $$(15k+20)^2-576(k^2+1)geq0$$ or
                                $$351k^2-600k+176leq0$$ or
                                $$frac{44}{117}leq kleqfrac{4}{3}.$$
                                The value $frac{4}{3}$ occurs for $$y=frac{15k+20}{k^2+1}=14.4$$ and $$x=14.4cdotfrac{4}{3}=19.2,$$ which says that $frac{4}{3}$ is a maximal value.







                                share|cite|improve this answer












                                share|cite|improve this answer



                                share|cite|improve this answer










                                answered Jan 8 at 10:11









                                Michael RozenbergMichael Rozenberg

                                99k1590189




                                99k1590189












                                • $begingroup$
                                  This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Heart
                                  Jan 8 at 12:05










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Michael Rozenberg
                                  Jan 8 at 12:12


















                                • $begingroup$
                                  This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Heart
                                  Jan 8 at 12:05










                                • $begingroup$
                                  @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Michael Rozenberg
                                  Jan 8 at 12:12
















                                $begingroup$
                                This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Heart
                                Jan 8 at 12:05




                                $begingroup$
                                This solution is good too , But this problem is in circle form so your idea is work and helpful in another problem thx.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Heart
                                Jan 8 at 12:05












                                $begingroup$
                                @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Michael Rozenberg
                                Jan 8 at 12:12




                                $begingroup$
                                @Heart It works for any quadratic form.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Michael Rozenberg
                                Jan 8 at 12:12


















                                draft saved

                                draft discarded




















































                                Thanks for contributing an answer to Mathematics Stack Exchange!


                                • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                But avoid



                                • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                                Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


                                To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                draft saved


                                draft discarded














                                StackExchange.ready(
                                function () {
                                StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3065769%2ffind-maximum-value-of-frac-xy%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                                }
                                );

                                Post as a guest















                                Required, but never shown





















































                                Required, but never shown














                                Required, but never shown












                                Required, but never shown







                                Required, but never shown

































                                Required, but never shown














                                Required, but never shown












                                Required, but never shown







                                Required, but never shown







                                Popular posts from this blog

                                An IMO inspired problem

                                Management

                                Has there ever been an instance of an active nuclear power plant within or near a war zone?