Optimization problems lesson for Calculus with guided notes, homework, and video lesson. Teach maximizing, minimizing, setting up optimization equations, and applying derivatives to real-world problems.

This is one lesson from my Calculus Unit 3 – Applications of Derivatives curriculum. It includes guided notes, homework practice, a full video lesson, and detailed step-by-step answer keys to support student understanding.

This lesson is designed for a guided, non-AP Calculus course and works well for honors-level high school calculus or introductory calculus classes. The structure helps students set up and solve optimization problems step by step.

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💜 Topics Covered in This Lesson

• Optimization problems

• Maximizing quantities

• Minimizing quantities

• Setting up optimization equations

• Applying derivatives to real-world scenarios

• Interpreting solutions in context

💜 What’s Included

• Guided notes

• Homework practice (9 problems)

• 8 worked examples

• Full video lesson (walks through notes and examples)

• Detailed step-by-step answer key

💜 Perfect For

• High school Calculus

• Honors Calculus

• Introductory Calculus

• Non-AP Calculus courses

• Applications of derivatives units

• Optimization problems

• Teachers who want structured, guided instruction with video support

This lesson is designed to make teaching optimization more clear, organized, and manageable while helping students build confidence applying derivatives to real-world problems.

I have been teaching high school math, mostly honors-level courses, in the private school system for over 25 years. After much success with my digital Algebra 2 curriculum with videos, I decided to create a non-AP Calculus curriculum with guided notes, video lessons, homework practice, and detailed answer keys to use with my own students and share with other teachers.

I hope this resource helps make teaching Calculus clearer, smoother, and more manageable for you and your students!

-Shira Strong

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