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I'm trying to get maximization result from Maximize function to use it in later calculations. At the moment I use the following code:

c := 4
p[q1_, q2_] := 12 - q1 - q2
pi[p_, q_] := p*q - c*q
q2optimal := Maximize[pi[p[q1, q2], q2], q2][[2]][[1]][[2]]
q2optimal
poptimal := Simplify[p[q1, q2optimal]]
poptimal

Is there any other way to get the same result without that ugly [[2]][[1]][[2]]?

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Yes, for one, you can put all the accessors into one [[..]]:

Maximize[pi[p[q1, q2], q2], q2][[2, 1, 2]]

The second way is to use the rule -> in the last part the result directly

q2 /. Last@Maximize[pi[p[q1, q2], q2], q2]

The result from functions like Maximize, NMaximize, Minimize or even Solve might look strange for a beginner, but rules and replacement are one of the core concepts of Mathematica. Therefore, you should read this tutorial to get used to it.

Btw, is there a particular reason why you use := in your simple assignments?

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank for the explanation! I use := because it does what I need - it defines a function. $\endgroup$
    – user4510038
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:53
  • $\begingroup$ And thanks for the link to tutorial. I definitely need it. :( $\endgroup$
    – user4510038
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:57
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    $\begingroup$ @user4510038 Just make sure you are aware of the difference between = and :=. For functions like p it is (almost always) the right way, for variables like c you might experience unexpected behaviour. $\endgroup$
    – halirutan
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 17:02

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