The profit for a product is given by [tex]\( P(x) = -13x^2 + 1560x - 45,500 \)[/tex], where [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is the number of units produced and sold. How many units give break even (i.e., give zero profit) for this product?

The number of units that give break even for this product are [tex]\( \boxed{} \)[/tex]. (Use a comma to separate answers as needed.)



Answer :

To determine the number of units that result in a break-even situation for the product, which means the profit is zero, we need to solve the profit function [tex]\( P(x) \)[/tex] for when it equals zero. The profit function is given as:

[tex]\[ P(x) = -13x^2 + 1560x - 45,500 \][/tex]

The break-even points occur where [tex]\( P(x) = 0 \)[/tex]. Therefore, we need to solve the equation:

[tex]\[ -13x^2 + 1560x - 45,500 = 0 \][/tex]

This is a quadratic equation in the standard form [tex]\( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \)[/tex], where:
- [tex]\( a = -13 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( b = 1560 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( c = -45,500 \)[/tex]

To solve this quadratic equation, we use the quadratic formula:

[tex]\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \][/tex]

Let's identify the discriminant first, which is the part under the square root:

[tex]\[ \Delta = b^2 - 4ac \][/tex]

Plugging in the values:

[tex]\[ \Delta = 1560^2 - 4(-13)(-45,500) \][/tex]

This calculation gives us the value of the discriminant [tex]\(\Delta\)[/tex]. Once we have [tex]\(\Delta\)[/tex], we can find the two solutions for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ x = \frac{-1560 \pm \sqrt{1560^2 - 4(-13)(-45,500)}}{2(-13)} \][/tex]

After calculating these values, we find two solutions for [tex]\( x \)[/tex], which indicate the break-even points. The break-even points are:

[tex]\[ x = 50 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x = 70 \][/tex]

So, the number of units that give a break-even for this product are [tex]\( 50 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 70 \)[/tex].

Therefore, the number of units that give the break-even for this product are [tex]\( 50, 70 \)[/tex].