The revenue for a business, as a function of units produced, x, is shown below by R(x). C(x) represents the cost of producing x units. Calculate the profit function and then determine how many units must be produced for the business to make a profit of $738.

R, left parenthesis, x, right parenthesis, equals, 12, x
R(x)=
12x
The revenue function.
C, left parenthesis, x, right parenthesis, equals, 3, x, plus, 441
C(x)=
3x+441
The cost function.

1 answer

To find the profit function \( P(x) \), we can use the following formula:

\[ P(x) = R(x) - C(x) \]

Given the revenue function \( R(x) = 12x \) and the cost function \( C(x) = 3x + 441 \), we can substitute these into the profit function:

\[ P(x) = R(x) - C(x) = 12x - (3x + 441) \]

Now, simplify this expression:

\[ P(x) = 12x - 3x - 441 = 9x - 441 \]

So the profit function is:

\[ P(x) = 9x - 441 \]

Next, we need to determine how many units must be produced for the business to make a profit of \( 738 \). We set the profit function equal to \( 738 \):

\[ 9x - 441 = 738 \]

Now, solve for \( x \):

  1. Add \( 441 \) to both sides: \[ 9x = 738 + 441 \] \[ 9x = 1179 \]

  2. Divide both sides by \( 9 \): \[ x = \frac{1179}{9} = 131 \]

Therefore, the business must produce 131 units to make a profit of $738.