Chapter 13, Problem 3P

Let S represent the amount of steel produced (in tons). Steel production is related to the amount of labor used (L) and the amount of capital used (C) by the following function:

$S=20L^{0.30}{C}^{0.70}.$

In this formula L represents the units of labor input and C the units of capital input. Each unit of labor costs $50, and each unit of capital costs $100.

1. a. Formulate an optimization problem that will determine how much labor and capital are needed to produce 50,000 tons of steel at minimum cost.
2. b. Solve the optimization problem you formulated in part (a). (Hint: When using Excel Solver, start with an initial L > 0 and C > 0.)