CAT 2007 — QA Question 12
Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.
Mr. David manufactures and sells a single product at a fixed price in a niche market. The selling price of each unit is Rs. 30. On the other hand, the cost, in rupees, of producing x units is 240 + bx + cx2, where b and c are some constants. Mr. David noticed that doubling the daily production from 20 to 40 units increases the daily production cost by 66.66%. However, an increase in daily production from 40 to 60 units results in an increase of only 50% in the daily production cost. Assume that demand is unlimited and that Mr. David can sell as much as he can produce. His objective is to maximize the profit.
How many units should Mr. David produce daily?
Answer & solution
- A
130
100
- C
70
- D
150
- E
Cannot be determined
The cost function C(x) = 240 + bx + cx2
C(20) = 240 + 20b + 400c
C(40) = 240 + 40b + 1600c
C(60) = 240 + 60b + 3600c
By conditions,
2/3 × C(20) = C(40) – C(20)
⇒ C(40) = 5/3 × C(20)
⇒ 240 + 40b + 1600c = 400 + 100b/3 + 2000c/3
⇒ 20b/3 + 2800c/3 = 160
⇒ 20b + 2800c = 480 ... (1)
Also,
½ × C(40) = C(60) – C(40)
⇒ 3/2 × C(40) = C(60)
⇒ 360 + 60b + 2400c = 240 + 60b + 3600c
⇒ c = 1/10
⇒ b = 10 ... (from 1)
Profit P(x) for x units is 30x – C(x)
⇒ P(x) = 30x – 240 – 10x – x2/10 = – x2/10 +20x – 240
This is a quadratic expression whose maximum value will occur at x = -(20/2 × -1/10) = 100
∴ x = 100
Hence, option (b).