Mathematics Exercises in Mathematica

1. Linear Programming
a) Solve the following linear programming problem graphically and numerically:

max 5 x + 8 y
s.t.

x + 2 y 32
3x + 4 y 84
x 12
x, y 0

9 first input the Mathematica's package <<Graphics`InequalityGraphics` and then

9 the command InequalityPlot

9 In order to find the solution numerically, use the command NMaximize and input
the given constraints:

b) Solve the following linear programming problem graphically and numerically:

max 3 x + 4 y
s.t.

2 x + y 10
x+ y 7
x + 2 y 12
x, y 0

2. Single-Variable Differentiation
a) Differentiate the function define by the following formula
8x 4 + 2 x
The command D[function,argument] is used in Mathematica in order to calculate the first
derivative of various functions:

For calculating higher-order derivatives, use the command

D[function, {argument, n-th order}]
For example: Find f (3) ( x) for f given in example (a)

In order to avoid multiple writing of the same function, the following can be used:

b) Differentiate the following functions:

1) x 1 ( x 2 + 1) x
1
2)
x3

3)

x 2
x +1

1 1
4)(3x + 1) 2 +
x
x
5) ln x 2 + 1

6) ln 2 x + 1
Note: for the natural logarithm function use the syntax Log[x]

3. Limits

For calculating limits in Mathematica we use the command

Limit[expression, argument->particular value]

a) Determine the following limit

3 + 2x
x > 1 x 1
lim

In Mathematica we can find this limit by:

b) Determine the following limits:

1/ z + 2
z
2
x + 7x 8
2) lim
x >1
x 1
sin x
3) lim
x >0
x
3
27 + x 3
4) lim
x >0
x
2 + 3x
5) lim
x >
x 1

1) lim

z > 2

1
6) lim 1 +
n >
n

Note: In Mathematica use Infinity for

4. Single-variable optimization
a) Find the maximum and minimum values of
1
1
2
f ( x) = x 3 x 2 x + 1
9
6
3

For finding extreme values of the given function we need several steps in Mathematica:
1. Define the function f:

2. Find the stationary points:

3. Find the second derivative of f:

4. Evaluate the second derivative in the stationary points:

Exercise: Find the maximum and minimum values of

f ( x) = x 2 e x
b) Find the intervals where the function f given by f ( x ) = ln( x 1) increases and the
intervals where f decreases.

Note: First plot the function in Mathematica:

9 ALWAYS check the domain of the given function!

In order to check the region where the function is increasing or decreasing, we need the
following package in Mathematica: <<Algebra`InequalitySolve`

Then we need the first derivative of the function f :

Finally, we need Mathematica for solving the inequality f ( x ) > 0 and f ( x ) < 0 using the
command InequalitySolve[expression, argument]:

Note: Check the intersection between the obtained interval and the domain!

In this example D( f ) = 1,+ so the function increases on the whole domain (this can be
seen from the plot of f !)
Exercise: Find the intervals where the function
1 4 1 3
f ( x) =
x + x 5x 2 + 2 x 1
12
2
is
a) concave
b) convex.
Plot the function f first.
5. Economical Applications
a) A firm is producing some commodity and wants to maximize its profits. The total revenue
function generated in a certain period by producing and selling Q units is given by
R (Q ) = 4Q. The associated total cost function is given by T (Q ) = Q + 1. For which
production level Q the profit of the firm is maximized? Find the maximal profit value for the
firm.
b) The total cost function for some firm is given by T (Q) = Q 3 6Q 2 + 12Q, where Q stays
for production. Find the average cost function and the marginal cost function. Discuss when
the marginal cost and the average cost are equal.
c) According to Keynesian macroeconomic theory, total consumption expenditure on goods
and services C is assumed to be a function of national income Y . Suppose that this
relationship is linear, namely, C = 95 + 0.7Y . If C and Y are measured in millions of dollars,
find by how many millions of dollars consumptions changes if the national income increases
by 1 million dollars. Does the consumption increases or decreases if the national income
increases? Explain your answer.