The cost of controlling emissions at a firm goes up rapidly as the amount of emissions reduced goes up. Here is a possible model.

Question

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where x is the reduction in sulfur emissions, y is the reduction in lead emissions (in pounds of pollutant per day), and C is the daily cost to the firm (in dollars) of this reduction. Government clean-air subsidies amount to $600 per pound of sulfur and $50 per pound of lead removed. How many pounds of pollutant should the firm remove each day to minimize the net cost (cost minus subsidy)?

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A. 3.5 lb of sulfur and 2 lb of lead

B. 6 lb of sulfur and 1 lb of lead

C. 3 lb of sulfur and 1 lb of lead

D. 1.9 lb of sulfur and 3.5 lb of lead

E. 1 lb of sulfur and 3 lb of lead

Answer 1

Answer: C