An open top box is to be constructed so that its base is twice as long as it is wide. Its volume is to be 2400cm cubed. How do you find the dimensions that will minimize the amount of cardboard requiblack?

valtricotinevh

valtricotinevh

Answered question

2022-07-17

An open top box is to be constructed so that its base is twice as long as it is wide. Its volume is to be 2400cm cubed. How do you find the dimensions that will minimize the amount of cardboard requiblack?

Answer & Explanation

Jamarion Roth

Jamarion Roth

Beginner2022-07-18Added 13 answers

Secondary Equation : w × ( 2 w ) × h = 2400
Solve for h:
h = 1200 w 2
Primary Equation for Surface Area (with open top) :
f ( w ) = 2 w 2 + 2 w h + 2 ( 2 w ) h
Now use the Secondary Equation by substituting for h:
f ( w ) = 2 w 2 + ( 2 w ) ( 1200 w 2 ) + ( 4 w ) ( 1200 w 2 )
Simplify:
f ( w ) = 2 w 2 + 7200 w
Now find the derivative and set equal to zero:
f = 4 w - 7200 w 2 = 0
w 3 = 1800
w = ( 1800 ) 1 3 12.1644
[I'll leave it for you to prove that this is a minimum]
Finally, the dimensions that minimize the surface area are:
w = ( 1800 ) 1 3
l = 2 ( 1800 ) 1 3
h = 1200 w 2 = 1200 ( 1800 ) 2 3

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