polynomials in the real world

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PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE POLYNOMIALS

IN THE REAL WORLDReally

• One of the most widely-used applications of polynomials is what we refer to as optimization.

• Optimization means that we find the maximum or the minimum in a given situation.

• Sometimes we want to find the maximum---for example, if we are talking about profits.

• Sometimes we want to find the minimum---for example, if we are talking about costs.

A Specific Example• MeadWestVaco is a packaging company

that creates boxes for products that range from toothpaste to washable markers.

• They are hired by companies to design the most cost-efficient packaging possible for a particular product. To do this, they create a polynomial to model the dimensions of the material they want to use.

• Then they OPTIMIZE the polynomial to produce the package with the most amount of space while using the least amount of material.

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HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF A PROBLEM THEY MIGHT SOLVE.

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THERE REALLY ARE PEOPLE WHO GET PAID TO DO THIS EVERY DAY!!!

For more information about MeadWestVaco and what they do:•Visit www.meadwestvaco.com

•Google “MeadWestVaco”

•Google “packaging mathematics”