Problem 21

Find the rectangle of maximum perimeter inscribed in a given circle.

Solution:

Diameter D is constant (circle is given)

'
2 x +2 y y =0

x
y'=
y

Perimeter

P=2 x+ 2 y

dP
=2+2 y' =0
dx

2+2 ( xy )=0
y=x

The largest rectangle is a square.

Problem 22
If the hypotenuse of the right triangle is given, show that the area is maximum when
the triangle is isosceles.

Solution:

x 2+ y 2 =c 2

2 x +2 y y' =0

'
y =x / y
Area:

1
A= xy
2

dA 1 '
= [ x y + y ] =0
db 2

x y ' + y=0

x (xy )+ y=0
x2
y=
y

y 2=x 2

y=x

The triangle is an isosceles right triangle.

Problem 23
Find the most economical proportions for a covered box of fixed volume whose base is a
rectangle with one side three times as long as the other.

Solution:

Given Volume:

$V = x \, (3x) \, y
V = 3x^2 \, y$

0=3 x 2 y ' +6 xy

' 2 y
y=
x
Total Area:

A T =2 ( 3 x 2 ) +2 ( 3 xy )+2 ( xy )

A T =6 x 2+ 8 xy

d AT
=12 x +8 ( x y ' + y ) =0
dx

12 x +8 x
[ x )+ y ]=0
( 2 y

12 x +8 [ 2 y + y ] =0

12 x=8 y

3
y= x
2

Altitude = 3/2 shorter side of base.

Problem 24
Solve Problem 23 if the box has an open top.

Solution:

Given Volume:

V =x ( 3 x ) y

2
V =3 x y

2 '
0=3 x y +6 xy

y ' =2 y / x

Area:

A=3 x 2 +2 (3 xy ) +2 ( xy )
 2
A=3 x +8 xy

dA
=6 x +8 ( x y ' + y ) =0
dx

6 x+ 8 x
[ (2x y )+ y ]=0
6 x+ 8 [2 y+ y ] =0

6 x=8 y

3
y= x
4

Altitude = 3/4 shorter side of base.

Problem 25
Find the most economical proportions of a quart can.

Solution:

Volume:

1
V = d 2 h= 1 quart
4

1
4 [ dh
d 2 +2 dh =0
dd ]
dh 2 h
=
dd d

Total area (closed both ends):

A T =2 ( 14 d )+ dh
2
 1
A T = d 2 + dh
2

d AT
dd [
dh
=d + d +h =0
dd ]
dh
dd +h=0
dd

d +d ( 2h
d )
+h=0

d=h

Diameter = height

Problem 26
Find the most economical proportions for a cylindrical cup.

Solution:

Volume:

1
V = d2h
4

1
4 [
dh
0= d 2 +2 dh
dd ]
dh 2 h
=
dd d

Area (open one end):

1 2
A= d +dh
4

dA 1
dd 2
dh
[
= d+ d + h =0
dd ]
 1 dh
d +d +h=0
2 dd

1 2 h
2
d +d
d ( )
+h=0

1
d=h
2

r=h

Radius = height

Problem 27
Find the most economical proportions for a box with an open top and a square base.

Solution:

Volume:
2
V =x y

2 '
0=x y + 2 xy

2 y
y'=
x

Area:

A=x 2 +4 xy

dA '
=2 x+4 ( x y + y )=0
dx

2x+4 x
[ ( 2x y )+ y ]=0
2 x 8 y+ 4 y =0

2 x =4 y
 x=2 y

Aide of base = 2 altitude

Problem 28
The perimeter of an isosceles triangle is P inches. Find the maximum area.

Solution:

Perimeter:

P=2 y + x

'
0=2 y +1

1
y'= =0. 5
2

Area:

1
A= x h
2

From the figure:

Thus,
1
A= x y 0.25 x
2 2
2

[( )]
'
dA 1 2 y y 0.5 x
= x + y 2 0.25 x 2 =0
dx 2 2 y 0.25 x
2 2

2 ( xy y ' 0.25 x 2)
+ y 0.25 x =0
2 2

2 y 0.25 x
2 2
multiply both sides of the equation by y 20.25 x 2

xy y ' 0.25 x 2 + y 20.25 x 2=0

2 2
xy (0.5 ) 0.5 x + y =0

y 20.5 xy0.5 x 2=0

2 2
2 y xyx =0

Solving for y by quadratic formula: a = 2; b = -x; c = -x2

b b2 4 ac
y=
2a

(x ) x 4 ( 2 ) (x )
2 2
y=
2( 2)

x x2 +8 x 2
y=
4

x3 x
y=
4

1
y=x and x
2

y = - x is absurd, thus use y = x

Therefore
P=2 x+ x=3 x

1
x= y= P
3
h= y 2 0.25 x 2

1 2
P
3
1 1
P 2
3 4

h=

h=
1 2 1 2
9
P P
36

h=
1 2
12
P

1
h= P
23

1
A= xh
2

1 1 1
A max = ( )(
2 3
P
2 3
P )
1
A max = P2
12 3

P2
1 3
A max =
12 3 3

A max = P2
3
36
Problem 29
The sum of the length and girth of a container of square cross section is a inches. Find
the maximum volume.

Solution:

a=4 x + y

y=a4 x

Volume
2
V =x y

V =x 2 ( a4 x )

2 3
V =a x 4 x

dV
=2 ax12 x 2=0
dx

2 x ( a6 x )=0

For 2x = 0; x = 0 (meaningless)

For a - 6x = 0; x = 1/6 a

Use x = 1/6 a

1
y=a4( a)
6

1
y= a
3
 1 2 1
a ( a)
3 3
V max =

1 3 3
V max = a in
108

Problem 30
Find the proportion of the circular cylinder of largest volume that can be inscribed in a
given sphere.

Solution:

From the figure:

D 2=d 2 +h2

dh
0=2d +2 h
dd

dh d
=
dd h

Volume of cylinder:

1 2
V= d h
4

dV 2 dh
= d
dh 4 dd [
+ 2dh =0 ]
dh
d +2 h=0
dd
 d ( dh )+2 h=0
d2
2 h=
h

d 2=2 h2

d= 2 h

diameter = 2 height

Problem 31
In Problem 30 above, find the shape of the circular cylinder if its convex surface area is
to be a maximum.

Solution:

Convex surface area (shaded area):

A=dh

dA dh
dd (
= d + h =0
dd )
dh
d +h=0
dd

From Solution to Problem 30 above, dh/dd = -d/h

d ( dh
dd )
+h=0
 2
d
h=
h

h2=d 2

d=h

diameter = heightdiameter = height

Problem 32
Find the dimension of the largest rectangular building that can be placed on a right-
triangular lot, facing one of the perpendicular sides.

Solution:

Area:

A=xy

From the figure:

y b
=
ax a

b
y= ( ax )
a

b
A=x ( ax )
a

b 2
A=bx x
a

dA 2b
=b x=0
dx a
 2b
x=b
a

1
x= a
2

b 1
y=
a (
a a
2 )
1
y= b
2

Dimensions: a b

Problem 33
A lot has the form of a right triangle, with perpendicular sides 60 and 80 feet long. Find
the length and width of the largest rectangular building that can be erected, facing the
hypotenuse of the triangle.

Solution:

Area:

A=xy

From the figure

y b
=
ax a

b
y= ( ax )
a

b
A=x ( ax )
a
 b
A=bx x 2
a

dA 2b
=b x=0
dx a

2b
x=b
a

1
x= a
2

b 1
y=
a(a a
2 )
1
y= b
2

Dimensions: a b

Problem 33
A lot has the form of a right triangle, with perpendicular sides 60 and 80 feet long. Find
the length and width of the largest rectangular building that can be erected, facing the
hypotenuse of the triangle.

Solution:

Area:

A=xy

By similar triangle:

r 60
cot = =
x 80
 3
r= x
4

s 80
cot = =
x 60

4
s= x
3

r + y + s=100

3 4
x+ y + x=100
4 3

25
y=100 x
12

Thus,

25
(
A=x 100
12
x )
25 2
A=100 x x
12

dA 50
=100 x
dx 12

12
x=100( )
50

x=24 feet
 25
y=100 ( 24 )
12

y=50 feet

Dimensions: 50 ft 24 ft

Problem 34
Solve Problem 34 above if the lengths of the perpendicular sides are a, b.

Solution:

Area:

A=xy

By similar triangle:

r b
cot = =
x a

b
r= x
a

s a
cot = =
x b

a
s= x
b

r + y + s= a2+ b2

b a
x + y + x= a +b
2 2
a b
 2 2
a +b
y+ x= a 2+ b2
ab

a2 +b2
y= a +b 2 2
x
ab

ab a2 +b 2( a2 +b 2 ) x
y=
ab

y=
a2 +b2 (
abx a2 +b 2)
ab

Thus,

A=x a 2+ b2 ( abx a2+ b2 )

A=
a2 +b 2 (
abxx 2 a2+ b2 )
ab

dA a2 +b2 (
= ab2 x a2 +b2 ) =0
dx ab

2 x a2 +b2 =ab

ab
x=
2 a2 +b 2

y=
a2 +b2 ab
ab
ab
(
2 a +b
2 2
a2 +b2
)
y=
a2 +b2 ab
ab
ab
2 ( )
 a2 +b2
y=
ab ( ab2 )
y= a2 +b2
2

Dimensions:

ab
a2+ b2
2 a2 +b 2 2

Problem 35
A page is to contain 24 sq. in. of print. The margins at top and bottom are 1.5 in., at
the sides 1 in. Find the most economical dimensions of the page.

Solution:

Print Area:

( x2 ) ( y3 )=24

24
y= +3
x2

Page area:

A=xy

24
A=x ( x2 +3 )

24 x
A= +3 x
x2
 2
x2


dA ( x2 ) 2424 x ( 1 )
=
dx

x2 2


48

x2 2=0
48+3

x=
48
3
+2

x=6 in

24
y= +3
62

y=9 in

Dimensions: 6 in 9 in

Problem 36
A Norman window consists of a rectangle surmounted by a semicircle. What shape
gives the most light for the given perimeter?

Solution:

Given perimeter:

P=b+ 2(hr)+ r
 P=b+2 h2 r + r

Where:

b=2r

1
r= b
2

Thus,

1
P=b+2 hb+ b
2

1
P=2 h+ b
2

dP dh 1
=2 + =0
db db 2

dh 1
=
db 4

Light is most if area is maximum:

1
A= r 2 +b ( hr )
2

1 2 1
b +b( h b)
2 2
1
A=
2

1 2 1 2
A= b + bh b
8 2
 1
A= ( 4 ) b2 +bh
8

dA 2 dh
= ( 4 ) b +b + h=0
db 8 db

1 1
bb b +h=0
4 4

h=b

breadth = height

Problem 37
Solve Problem 36 above if the semicircle is stained glass admitting only half the normal
amount of light.

Solution:

From Solution of Problem 36

dh 1 dh 1
= =
db 4 db 4

1
r= b
2

Half amount of light is equivalent to half of the area.

1 2
A= r +b ( hr )
4
 1 2 1
b +b( h b)
2 2
1
A=
4

1 1
A= b 2+ bh b2
16 2

1
A= ( 8 ) b2 +bh
16

dA 2 dh
= ( 8 ) b+b +h=0
db 16 db

1 1
bb b+h=0
8 4

1
(
1+ b+h=0
8 )
1
(
h= 1+ b
8 )
1
(
height= 1+ breadth
8 )

Problem 38
A cylindrical glass jar has a plastic top. If the plastic is half as expensive as glass, per
unit area, find the most economical proportion of the jar.

Solution:

Volume:

V = r 2 h
 dh
0= r 2 +2 rh
dr

dh 2 rh
=
dr r2

dh 2 h
=
dr r

Let
m = price per unit area of glass
m = price per unit area of plastic
k = total material cost per jar

1
k =m ( 2 rh+ r 2 ) + m ( r 2)
2

3 2
k =2 mrh+ m r
2

dk dh
dr (
=2 m r +h +3 mr=0
dr )
dh
(
2 r
dr )
+ h +3 r =0

[ r )+ h]+3 r=0
(
2 r
2 h

2 h=3 r

3
h= r
2

Height = 3/2 radius of base

Solution:

ba 2 2
h2 +( ) =a
2

ba 2


a2
h=

ba 2
4 a2
1
h=
2

Capacity is maximum if area is maximum:

1
A= ( b +a ) h
2
 2
ba
2
4 a ( )
1

2
1
A= ( b +a )
2

2
ba
4 a 2
1 (take note that 'a' is constant)
A= ( b +a )
4

2
ba

ba 2
4 a2=0
4 a2
2
2 ( ba )
( b+ a )

dA 1
=
db 4

ba 2

ba 2

4 a2

4 a2

ba 2=b 2a 2
4 a2

4 a2b 2+2aba 2=b2a2

2 b22 ab4 a2=0

2 2
b ab2a =0
 ( b+ a )( b2 a ) =0

For b + a = 0; b = -a (meaningless)

For b - 2a = 0; b = 2a (ok)

Use b = 2a

Problem 41
In Problem 39, if the strip is L in. wide, and the width across the top is T in. (T < L),
what base width gives the maximum capacity?

Solution:

T a 2 La 2
2
h+ (
2
=
2 ) ( )
2
La

T a 2




h=

T a 2
La 2

1
h=
2
 1 2
h=
2
L 2 La+a2 T 2 +2 Taa2

1 2
h=
2
2
L T 2 ( LT ) a

Area:

1
A= ( a+T ) h
2

1 1
(
A= ( a+T ) L2T 22 ( LT ) a
2 2 )
1
A= ( a+T ) L T 2 ( LT ) a
2 2
4 (note that L and T are constant)

dA 1
= ( a+T )
da 4 [ 2 ( LT )
2 L T 2 ( LT ) a
2 2
+ L T 2 ( LT ) a =0
2 2
]
( a+T )( LT )
L2T 22 ( LT ) a=
L T 22 ( LT ) a
2

L2T 22 ( LT ) a=( a+T )( LT )

2 2 2
L T 2 La+ 2Ta=LaTa+TLT

L2TL=3 La3 Ta

3 ( LT ) a=L ( LT )

1
a= L
3
Base = 1/3 length of strip

Problem 42
From a strip of tin 14 inches a trapezoidal gutter is to be made by bending up the sides
at an angle of 45. Find the width of the base for greatest carrying capacity.

Solution:

h
sin 45 =
14a
2

14a
h= sin 45
2

14a
h=
2 ( 12 )
14a
h=
2 2

Area:

A= A 1+ 2 A2

A=ah+2 ( 12 h )
2
 2
14a 14a
A=a ( 2 2
+ )(
2 2 )
2
14a


7 a a2
A= +
2 2 2

dA 7 a 14a
= =0
da 2 2 4

7 a 7 a
+ =0
2 2 2 4

( 14 12 ) a= 72 72
a=3.17 in
Problem 43
A ship lies 6 miles from shore, and opposite a point 10 miles farther along the shore
another ship lies 18 miles offshore. A boat from the first ship is to land a passenger and
then proceed to the other ship. What is the least distance the boat can travel?

Solution:

D1= x 2+6 2= x 2+36

2 2
10x + 18

10x 2 +324


D 2=

Total Distance:

D=D 1 + D2

D=D 1 + D2
 2
10x +324


2
dD 2x 2 (10x )(1 )
= +
dx 2 x +36
2

10x 2+324



x 10x
=
x +36
2

10x 2 +324


x

10x 2 ( x 2+ 36)
=
x2

2
10x
10x 2 +36
10x 2 +324 x 2=x 2
x2

324 x 2=36 ( 10020 x + x 2 )

2 2
9 x =10020 x +x

8 x 2+20 x100=0

2 x 2 +5 x25=0

( 2 x5 )( x +5 )=0

For 2x - 5 = 0; x = 5/2
For x + 5 = 0; x = -5 (meaningless)

Use x = 5/2 = 2.5 mi

D=26 mi

Problem 44
Two posts, one 8 feet high and the other 12 feet high, stand 15 ft apart. They are to be
supported by wires attached to a single stake at ground level. The wires running to the
tops of the posts. Where should the stake be placed, to use the least amount of wire?

Solution:

L1= x2 +8 2= x2 +64

15x 2 +122

15x 2 +144


L2=

Total length of wire:

L=L1 + L2

15x 2 +144

L= x + 64+
2
 2
15x +144


2
dL 2x 2 ( 15x ) (1 )
= +
dx 2 x +64
2

15x 2+ 144



x 15x
=
x +64
2

15x 2 +144


x

15x 2 ( x 2+ 64)
=
x2

2
15x
15x 2 +64
15x 2 +144 x 2=x 2
x2

144 x 2=64 ( 22530 x+ x 2 )

9 x 2=4 ( 22530 x + x 2)

5 x2 +120 x900=0

x 2+24 x180=0

( x+ 30 )( x6 )=0

For x + 30 = 0; x = -30 (meaningless)

use x = 6 ft
Location of stake is 6 ft from the shorter post.

Problem 45
A ray of light travels, as in Fig. 39, from A to B via the point P on the mirror CD. Prove
that the length (AP + PB) will be a minimum if and only if = .

Solution:

S 1= x 2+ a2

cx 2 +b2

S 2=

Total distance traveled by light:

S=S1 + S2

cx 2 +b2

S= x + a2 +
2
 2 2
c x +b


2
dS 2x 2 ( cx ) (1 )
= +
dx 2 x +a
2 2

cx 2+ b2



x cx
=
x +a
2 2

cx 2 +b2


x

cx 2 ( x 2+ a2)
=
x2

2
cx
cx 2 +a2
cx 2 +b2 x2 =x2
x2

b2 x 2=a2 ( c 22 cx + x 2)

2 2 2 2 2 2 2
b x =a c 2 a cx+ a x

( a2 b2 ) x 22 a2 cx+ a2 c2 =0

By Quadratic Formula:
A = a2 - b2; B = -2a2c; C = a2c2

B B24 AC
x=
2A
 2a c 4 a c 4 ( a b ) ( a c )
2 4 2 2 2 2 2
x=
2 ( a2b2 )

2a 2 c 4 a 4 c24 a 4 c 2+ 4 a 2 b 2 c 2
x=
2 ( a2b 2 )

2a 2 c 2 abc
x=
2 ( a2b 2 )

ac ( a b )
x=
( ab ) ( a+b )

For

ac(a+b)
x=
(ab)(a+ b)

ac
x= meaningless if a > b
ab

For

ac ( ab )
x=
( ab ) ( a+b )

ac
x= okay
a+b

Use

ac
x=
a+b

when S is minimum:

ac
cx=c
a+b
 ( a+ b ) cac
cx=
a+b

ac +bcac
cx=
a+ b

bc
cx=
a+ b

a
tan =
x

a
tan =
ac
a+b

a+b
tan =
c

b
tan =
cx

b
tan =
bc
a+b

a+ b
tan =
c

tan = tan , thus, = (okay!)

Problem 46
Given point on the conjugate axis of an equilateral hyperbola, find the shortest distance
to the curve.

Solution:

Standard equation:

x2 y2
=1
a2 b 2
For equilateral hyperbola,

b = a.

x2 y2
=1
a2 a 2

Thus,

x 2 y 2=a 2

x 2=a2 + y 2

Distance d:

y k 2
x0 2 +

d=

2
yk
2
x +
d=

2
yk
a2 + y 2 +
d=

yk 2

a 2+ y 2+
2
dd 2 y +2( yk)
=
dy

2 y+ 2 ( yk )

2 y=k
 1
y= k
2

2 1 2
y= k
4

Nearest Distance:

1 2
k k
2
1
a2 + k 2 +
4
d=

1
d= a 2+ k 2
2

Problem 47
Find the point on the curve a2 y = x3 that is nearest the point (4a, 0).

Solution: