step 1. Read the problem carefully. Make sure you identify what is given and what is still unknown.

step 2. If possible, sketch a diagram. Label the various parts.

step 3. Decide on the variable (like area, distance, volume, etc.) that must be maximized or minimized and write a formula for that value - probably in two variables.

step 4. Find in the problem or think of a formula that you know (like Pythagoran, similarity, perimeter, etc.) that will give you an equality statement.

step 5.Solve this equation for one variable and then make a substitution into the formula from step 3.

step 6. Take the derivative of the function. Set it equal to zero and solve. These are the critical points for the function from step 4.

step 7. Test each critical point for relative maxima or minima using the first derivative test.

step 8. State your solution in a complete sentence making sure you are answering the quetion posed. ie: were you asked the max or min value? if so you need to plug the "x" coordinate back into the function from step 3