# Square

• January 22nd 2007, 01:43 PM
symmetry
Square
A wire of length x is bent into the shape of a square.

(a) Express the perimeter of the square as a function of x.

(b) Express the area of the square as a function of x.
• January 22nd 2007, 02:17 PM
ThePerfectHacker
Quote:

Originally Posted by symmetry
A wire of length x is bent into the shape of a square.

(a) Express the perimeter of the square as a function of x.

Each side is of equal length and there are 4 sides thus, $\frac{x}{4}$.
Quote:

(b) Express the area of the square as a function of x.
From (a) we have,
$A=\frac{x}{4} \cdot \frac{x}{4}=\frac{x^2}{16}$.
Because area is side squared.
• January 22nd 2007, 03:33 PM
symmetry
ok
Since all sides of the square are the same length, we have a square with x sides.

The perimeter of a square is P = 4x, right?

How did you get (x/4) = P?
• January 22nd 2007, 06:17 PM
Quick
Quote:

Originally Posted by symmetry
A wire of length x is bent into the shape of a square.

(a) Express the perimeter of the square as a function of x.

(b) Express the area of the square as a function of x.

I'm a bit late. But here's a diagram :)

You can clearly see the perimeter is "x"

But You have to press the buttons to see anything (or you could move the red points too)
• January 23rd 2007, 02:29 AM
symmetry
ok
• January 23rd 2007, 02:35 AM
Quick
Quote:

Originally Posted by symmetry

hmmm, it seems you don't see the java program. Did you at least see
Quote:

• January 23rd 2007, 02:37 AM
symmetry
ok
Why don't you ask earboth what he uses to paste diagrams with his answers. I would like to know how to do that myself.

Getting back to the question, why is P = (x/4)?
• January 23rd 2007, 04:55 AM
topsquark
Quote:

Originally Posted by symmetry
Why don't you ask earboth what he uses to paste diagrams with his answers. I would like to know how to do that myself.

Getting back to the question, why is P = (x/4)?

You misunderstood what TPH was trying to do. The length of the wire is x. Thus the perimeter of the square is P = x. So one side of the square has a length of x/4. This is what TPH was saying.

-Dan
• January 23rd 2007, 08:56 AM
Quick
Quote:

Originally Posted by symmetry
Why don't you ask earboth what he uses to paste diagrams with his answers. I would like to know how to do that myself.

When posting, go to the "manage attachments" button. Click, upload your attachments, and then it shows your attachment (which is usually a picture).

The reason I used the java diagram is because it is more visual.
• January 25th 2007, 03:24 PM
symmetry
ok
Thanks for the TIP QUICK.

To the rest, I thank you all for your replies and wonderful math notes.