Optimization in calculus, a methodical approach.

Calculus is usually the first time students are introduced to the field of optimization. Optimization problems are arguably the hardest aspect of undergraduate introductory calculus courses because they require you to extract information and relationships among variables given a set of initial conditions or a prompt. This makes it really hard because very few instructors take a methodical approach. Here are my recommended steps for solving optimization problems:

Look at the equation to find the critical value/variable
Look at the parameters/initial conditions/ whatever you are given and extract information and unknown relationships.
Set up an equation that expresses your parameters as a single variable (critical value)
Derive for the max/min.

everyone one of you kiddos got this one wrong so pay attention you little brats

[SimpleMathematics]

Excellent math tutorial you are calculus expert

[tedarcher]

Why do you assume that the small and large triangles have the same angles?