Calculus: Early Transcendentals 9th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1337613924
ISBN 13: 978-1-33761-392-7

Chapter 3 - Section 3.7 - Rates of Change in the Natural and Social Sciences - 3.7 Exercises - Page 238: 35

Answer

(a) $A'(x) = \frac{xp'(x)-p(x)}{x^2}$ If $A'(x) \gt 0$, then the average productivity of the workforce would increase if more workers were added. Therefore, the company would want to hire more workers in order to improve the average productivity of the workforce. (b) If $p'(x)$ is greater than the average productivity, then $A'(x) \gt 0$

Work Step by Step

(a) $A(x) = \frac{p(x)}{x}$ $A'(x) = \frac{xp'(x)-p(x)}{x^2}$ If $A'(x) \gt 0$, then the average productivity of the workforce would increase if more workers were added. Therefore, the company would want to hire more workers in order to improve the average productivity of the workforce. (b) Suppose $p'(x)$ is greater than the average productivity. Then: $p'(x) \gt \frac{p(x)}{x}$ $xp'(x) \gt p(x)$ $xp'(x) - p(x) \gt 0$ $\frac{xp'(x) - p(x)}{x^2} \gt 0$ $A'(x) \gt 0$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.