Final answer:
The maximum annual profit for the manufacturer of zip drives is calculated by finding the profit function and its derivative, setting the derivative to zero to find the critical point, and then using this to calculate the profit. The maximum profit is determined to be $1,520,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked for the calculation of the maximum annual profit for a manufacturer of zip drives with given revenue and cost functions, R(x) = 520x - 0.02x² and C(x) = 160x + 100,000. To determine this, we must first find the profit function by subtracting the cost function from the revenue function, P(x) = R(x) - C(x). Then, we need to find the derivative of this profit function to determine the number of drives that would yield the maximum profit. We set this derivative equal to zero to find the critical points and then check these points to find the maximum profit. The options provided are hinting towards very large profits, so we should expect x to be large as well when maximizing profit.
First, calculate the profit function:
P(x) = R(x) - C(x)
P(x) = (520x - 0.02x²) - (160x + 100,000)
P(x) = 360x - 0.02x² - 100,000.
Next, find the derivative of the profit function:
P'(x) = 360 - 0.04x.
To find the maximum profit, set the derivative equal to zero and solve for x:
0 = 360 - 0.04x
0.04x = 360
x = 9000.
Now, use this value of x to calculate the maximum profit:
P(9000) = 360(9000) - 0.02(9000)² - 100,000
P(9000) = 3,240,000 - 1,620,000 - 100,000
P(9000) = $1,520,000.
The maximum annual profit is therefore $1,520,000, which corresponds to option C.