Praxis Mathematics - Content Knowledge (5161): Practice & Study Guide
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Ch 43: Praxis Mathematics: Optimization and Differentiation

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About This Chapter

Let us help you understand optimization and differentiation. The video lessons and self-assessment quizzes show you how to solve problems in preparation for the Praxis Mathematics test.

Praxis Mathematics: Optimization and Differentiation - Chapter Summary

This chapter's lessons will prepare you for Praxis Mathematics exam questions that cover optimizing simple and complex systems. You will learn to solve applied minima-maxima problems and use relative maxima and minima to analyze the behavior of a function. Another lesson will lead you through an examination of optimization and differentiation. Topics covered in this chapter include:

  • Optimizing complex systems
  • Optimizing simple systems
  • Optimization and differentiation

Expert instructors guide you through these videos, and they know how to make the lessons both informative and entertaining. You will enjoy yourself as you gain knowledge and prepare for the test. Before moving on to the next lesson, be sure to take the self-assessment quiz that follows each lesson.

Objectives of the Praxis Mathematics Course

Many states require the Praxis Mathematics test for individuals who want to teach math at the secondary school level. There are 50 multiple-choice questions on the Praxis Mathematics test, and you will be allotted two hours to complete it. The topics covered in this optimization and differentiation chapter are included in the test's calculus section. This section has six questions, which constitutes about 12% of the test as a whole.

On the Praxis, you'll be presented with a problem and four choices of answers from which to choose. You can check your knowledge and get accustomed to the test's format by taking the self-assessment quizzes that accompany each video lesson.

3 Lessons in Chapter 43: Praxis Mathematics: Optimization and Differentiation
Chapter Practice Test
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Optimizing Complex Systems

1. Optimizing Complex Systems

The five steps to solve optimization problems is a mathematical process that is commonly used to solve problems with complex systems. Learn to visualize an optimization problem, define it, prepare an equation, find the minimum or maximum values, and answer the question.
Optimizing Simple Systems

2. Optimizing Simple Systems

Optimization is the process of maximizing the usefulness of the parameter of a certain object or simple system. Discover how to find the minimum or maximum of a given function and learn the five-step method for solving most optimization problems.
Optimization and Differentiation

3. Optimization and Differentiation

Optimization uses mathematics to solve daily problems, such as differentiating the amount of sleep needed for optimal test performance. Discover the five steps to optimization that can be used to solve practically any optimization problem.
Chapter Practice Exam
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Practice Final Exam
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