220 cars are rented at $30 per day and for each dollar increase, 5 fewer cars are rented. What is the maximum possible income and the rent at which this maximizes?

2 Answers
Nov 22, 2017

Maximum income of $6,845 is at a rent of $37 per day.

Explanation:

Let number of cars rented at a rate of r dollars per day be n. Hence revenue would be R=$nr.

As 220 cars are rented at $30 per day and for each dollar increase, 5 fewer cars are rented

at r dollars number of cars rented (i.e. 30-r dollars less than $30), cars rented would be 300+5(30-r) or

n=220+5(30-r) and revenue is given by R=r(220+5(30-r))

or R=r(370-5r)=370r-5r^2

and this will maximized when (dR)/(dr)=0

as (dR)/(dr)=370-10r=0 i.e. r=37

Hence, revenue is maximized when rate is $37 per day. At this rate number of cars hired is 220+5(30-37)=220-35=185

and revenue is $6,845

Nov 22, 2017

TR is maximum when 185 cars are rented out.

Revenue maximising daily rent = 37

Maximum Revenue =6845

Explanation:

We can form a demand curve using the given information.
Daily Rent is measured along the Y - axis. We shall have Daily Rate as Price and symbolize it as p. It is independent variable in our analysis.

Number of cars is measured along the X - axis. Let us symbolize it as q. It is dependent variable in our analysis.

We shall develop the AR function [Demand function]

q_1=220
p_1=30
q_2=215
p_2=31

(p-p_1)=(p_2-p_1)/(q_2-q_1)(q-q_1)

p-30=(31-30)/(215-220)(q-220)

p-30=-1/5(q-220)

p-30=-1/5q+44

p=-1/5q+44+30

p=-1/5q+74 [AR function]

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Since AR curve is downward sloping and linear, the slope of the MR curve is double the slope of AR curve. Using this piece of information let us form the MR function.

MR=[(-1/5)xx2]x+74

MR=-2/5x+74

Total Revenue is Maximum when MR = 0.

-2/5x+74=0

x=-74xx(-5/2)=370/2=185

TR is maximum when 185 cars are rented out.

To find the price, substitute q=185 in the Ar function

AR =-1/5x+74
AR =-1/5 xx 185+74=-37+74=37

Revenue maximising daily rent = 37

Maximum Revenue = Number of cars xx Daily rent

Maximum Revenue =185 xx 37 =6845