Lets assume that x and y are two numbers. y = 2 x - 3 ( 3 less than twice another number ) Their product: x · y = x · ( 2 x - 3 ) = 2 x² - 3 x We find the derivative: ( 2 x² - 3 x )` = 4 x - 3 4 x - 3 = 0 4 x = 3 x = 3/4 y = 2 · 3/4 3 = - 3 /2 x · y = 3/4 · ( - 3/2 ) = - 9/8 Answer: The smallest possible value of their product is - 9/8
