I don't understand how to solve optimization problems, (like here's the volume of a box, find the least amount of material it would take to make such a box).

Is there a tutorial or some general step by step instruction on how to do these?

Thanks in advance,
Amy :)

http://mathdemos.gcsu.edu/mathdemos/maxmin/maxmin.html

Additionaly, I highly recommend the work book Schaum's Outline Series, Calculus, available at your college bookstore, or Barnes Noble. Go look at it. It is very inexpensive.