1. ## Problem solving

A farmer wishes to make a rectangular pen using an existing section of straight fence and 36 m of relocatable fencing materials. What is the largest possible area of the pen?

2. Is the existing section however long you need it to be?

Any rectangle must have a length L and a width W. For the perimeter to be $32+x$, $2L + 2W$ must be equal to $32+x$.

We know that by the definition of a rectangle, the section of pre-existing fence will be equal in length to either the length or the width. So, we set $x$equal to $L$.

This gives us $2L + 2W = 36+L$, or $L + 2W = 36$.

Also, we know that the maximum area of any rectangle is actually a rectangle with four equal sides. This is also known as a square.

With that knowledge, when looking for the maximum area we can say that $L = W$.

If $L = W$, and $L + 2W = 36$, then $W + 2W = 36$.

After that, it's just basic algebra.

$3W = 36$
$W = 36/3$

We know the width, and since all the sides are equal, we can square it to find the area.

$(36/3)^2 = 144 m^2$

3. Originally Posted by Mr Rayon
A farmer wishes to make a rectangular pen using an existing section of straight fence and 36 m of relocatable fencing materials. What is the largest possible area of the pen?
Perimeter must equal 36m: $36=2(w+l)$

We want the largest area: $A=wl$

Solve the first equal for either length or width and plug it into the second equation. Calculus will give you the value for the largest area, but without knowledge of that math, you will need to use some intuition/trial and error...

$18=w+l$

$A=(18-w)w$
$A=18w-w^2$

$w=9; l=9$
$A=81$

4. Originally Posted by colby2152
Perimeter must equal 36m: $36=2(w+l)$

We want the largest area: $A=wl$

Solve the first equal for either length or width and plug it into the second equation. Calculus will give you the value for the largest area, but without knowledge of that math, you will need to use some intuition/trial and error...

$18=w+l$

$A=(18-w)w$
$A=18w-w^2$

$w=9; l=9$
$A=81$
I am sorry but with all due respect, that is just not right. Your response ignores the fact that there is another section of straight fence.