A short illustration of how polynomials can be used in the real world; Box images from Dawn Adams

1. C
PEOPLE ACTUALLY
USE POLYNOMIALS
IN THE REAL WORLDReally 

2. • One of the most widely-used applications of
polynomials is what we refer to as optimization.
• Optimization means that we find the maximum or the
minimum in a given situation.
• Sometimes we want to find the maximum---for
example, if we are talking about profits.
• Sometimes we want to find the minimum---for
example, if we are talking about costs.

3. A Specific Example
• MeadWestVaco is a packaging
company that creates boxes for products
that range from toothpaste to washable
markers.
• They are hired by companies to design
the most cost-efficient packaging
possible for a particular product. To do
this, they create a polynomial to model
the dimensions of the material they want
to use.
• Then they OPTIMIZE the polynomial to
produce the package with the most
amount of space while using the least
amount of material.

4. C
HERE’S AN EXAMPLE
OF A PROBLEM THEY
MIGHT SOLVE.

8. C
THERE REALLY ARE
PEOPLE WHO GET
PAID TO DO THIS
EVERY DAY!!! 

9. For more information about
MeadWestVaco and what they do:
• Visit
www.meadwestvaco.com
• Google
“MeadWestVaco”
• Google “packaging
mathematics”