Problem 21

Find the rectangle of maximum perimeter inscribed in a given circle.

Solution: Diameter D is constant (circle is given)

Perimeter

The largest rectangle is a square answer See also the solution using trigonometric function.

Problem 22
If the hypotenuse of the right triangle is given, show that the area is maximum when the triangle is isosceles.

Solution:

Area:

The triangle is an isosceles right triangle answer

Problem 23
Find the most economical proportions for a covered box of fixed volume whose base is a rectangle with one side three times as long as the other.

Solution: Given Volume:

Total Area:

altitude = 3/2 shorter side of base answer

Example 1. Find the dimensions of the rectangle that, for a given perimeter, will have the largest area.

Solution. Let the base of the rectangle be x, let its height be y, let A be its area, and let P be the given perimeter. Then P = 2x + 2y, and A = xy. Since we are going to maximize A, we would like to have A as a function only of x. And we can do that because in the expression for Pwe can solve for y: y = (P 2x) = P x. Therefore, A = = x(P x) xP x.

On taking the derivative of A and setting it equal to 0,

dA = P = 0, 2x dx x
= P.

The base is one quarter of the perimeter. We can now find thevalue of y: y = P P = P. The height is also one quarter of the perimeter. That figure is a square The rectangle that has the largest area for a given perimeter is a square. Example 2. A box having a square base and an open top is to contain 108 cubic feet. What should its dimensions be so that the material to make it will be a minimum? That is, what dimensions will cost the least?

Solution. Let x be the side of the square base, and let y be its height. Then Area of base = x. Area of four sides = 4xy. Let M be the total amount of material. Then M = x + 4xy. Now, how shall we express y in terms of x? We have not yet used the fact that the volume must be 108 cubic feet. The volume is equal to xy = 108. Therefore, 108 x and therefore in the expression for M, 10 4xy=4x 8 = x y= M= = This implies, on multiplying through by the denominator x2: 2x3 432=0 x3=216

x=6 feet. We can now evaluate y: y= These are the dimensions that will cost the least. Example 3. Find the dimensions of the rectangle with the most area that can be inscribed in a semi-circle of radius r. Show, in fact, that the area of that rectangle is r. Solution. with the First, it should be clear that there is a rectangle

greatest area, as the figures above show. Let x be the base of the rectangle, and let y be its height. Then, since r is the radius: =r =r x + 4y=4r. Therefore, y= Let A be the area we want to maximize. A = xy. That is, A= According to the product rule: dA = dx
x

+ (4r x)=0.

This implies:

x=2r x=

This is the base of the largest rectangle. As for the height y: y= y= y= The area of this largest rectangle, then, is

Problem 24
Solve Problem 23 if the box has an open top.

Solution: Given Volume:

Area:

altitude = 3/4 shorter side of base answer

SOLUTION 1 : Differentiate

( The outer layer is ``the square'' and the inner layer is (3x+1) . Differentiate ``the square'' first, leaving (3x+1) unchanged. Then differentiate (3x+1). ) Thus,

= 2 (3x+1) (3) = 6 (3x+1) . Click HERE to return to the list of problems.

SOLUTION 2 : Differentiate

. . Differentiate ``the square . ) Thus,

( The outer layer is ``the square root'' and the inner layer is root'' first, leaving unchanged. Then differentiate

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SOLUTION 3 : Differentiate

. . Differentiate ``the 30th . ) Thus,

( The outer layer is ``the 30th power'' and the inner layer is power'' first, leaving unchanged. Then differentiate

Click HERE to return to the list of problems.

SOLUTION 4 : Differentiate

. . Differentiate ``the one-third . ) Thus,

( The outer layer is ``the one-third power'' and the inner layer is power'' first, leaving unchanged. Then differentiate

(At this point, we will continue to simplify the expression, leaving the final answer with no negative exponents.)

. Click HERE to return to the list of problems.

SOLUTION 5 : Differentiate

( First, begin by simplifying the expression before we differentiate it. ) Thus,

( The outer layer is ``the negative four-fifths power'' and the inner layer is ``the negative four-fifths power'' first, leaving

. Differentiate .)

unchanged. Then differentiate

(At this point, we will continue to simplify the expression, leaving the final answer with no negative exponents.)