A rectangle is constructed with it's base on the x-axis and the two of its vertices on the parabola y=49 - x^2. What are the dimensions of the rectangle with the maximum area?

popljuvao69

popljuvao69

Answered question

2022-08-12

A rectangle is constructed with it's base on the x-axis and the two of its vertices on the parabola y = 49 - x 2 . What are the dimensions of the rectangle with the maximum area?

Answer & Explanation

Emely English

Emely English

Beginner2022-08-13Added 16 answers

The parabola is a 'mountain'-type (because the coefficient of x 2 is negative. Also, it
is symmetrical in respect to the y-axis, because there is no x-term.
We can now simplify the problem to finding a rectangle with vertices at
( 0 , 0 ) , ( x , 0 ) , ( 0 , y ) and ( x , y ) and then double the x-values.
The area will then be A = x y
If we substitute the equation of the parabola for y:
A = x ( 49 - x 2 ) = 49 x - x 3
To find the extremes (max of min) we need the derivative and set it to zero:
A = 49 - 3 x 2 = 0 x 2 = 49 3 x = 49 3 4.04 ...
(remember we will have to double that)
Use this in the original function:
y = 49 - x 2 = 49 - 49 3 = 98 3 32.67
Dimensions will be 8.08 x 32.67

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