Optimization Problem

Quote:

Originally Posted by abel2

I'm doing good with calculus but I'm having trouble deciphering optimization problems. Two currently:

Find the area of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a right triangle with legs of length 3cm and 4cm if two sides of the rectangle lie along the sides. (leg refers to a side that is not the hypotenuse) Here I dont even know what functions to use.. A = L*W (square) A= 1/2 * (x+3) * (y+4) (triangle)

Another one is: A box with square base and open top must have a volume of 32000 cm^3 Find the dimensions of the box that minimize the amount of material.
V = l*w*h here I assume square means l and w are equal. So 32000 = h * w^2

Basically I can't get past the wording and formula formation. I can get past the derivative and finding the critical points once I can create a formula.. Any help would be much appreciated.

For any of these type of optimisation problems, the procedure is as follows:
Draw a diagram, label variables.
Write a formula for the thing you are trying to optimise eg in your first problem it is area, in your second it is surface area).
Use any given information to get your formula in terms of one variable only.
Then you sound like you know what to do....which is a good thing!(Wink)

Start with the second one first (it's actually a bit easier).
Draw a diagram of a square based prism. label the width x, length x and height h. (or any other letters you wish)
So V = h*x^2 (you had this already - i prefer to use x)
Now you know that V = 32000 so 32000 = h*x^2 (you already knew that). This also means that h = 32000/x^2.

Now this seems to be where you get stuck.

What are you trying to optimise? Answer: Surface area
So...get a formula for surface area from your diagram (remember it has an open top) so SA = ................(at this stage this will involve both x and h).
Formula with 2 variables??? - a problem. So ...use the fact that
h = 32000/x^2 to get the formula in terms of one variable x. Then you know what to do!!