ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS FORM 5 SBA

To determine the optimal angle, the sides of the trapezium should be bent to, in order
to create the maximum carrying capacity.
AIM OF PROJECT

This project shows how realistic problems can be solved using and applying
mathematical formulations.
A number of hardware and roofing companies are now offering consumers materials
in a variety of styles. With specialised machinery, these sheets can be bent into any
shape to create the stylish look the customer requires.
A major company in the city has new equipment capable of making guttering in the
shape of an open top trapezium. The sheet metal used is 22 cm wide and bent such
that the base is 14 cm.
This project relates the angle of the bent sides of the trapezium to its total area.
This project is targeted to evaluate the best angle to use to bend the sides of the
trapezium. In order to maximise the carrying capacity of rain water run-off from the
roof, the following must be investigated:
1. The relationship between the angle and the total area of the trapezium.
2. The size of the angle.
3. The maximum area that can be obtained.
This project uses two (2) mathematical method to solve this problem; a graphical
method and an analytical method.
The variables manipulated are:
 X – Height of triangle or breadth of rectangle.
 A – Total area or area or trapezium.
 ϴ - Angle the sides of the trapezium is bent.
MATHEMATICAL FOMULATION

P
N

4 cm 4 cm

𝜃 𝜃
Y M Q Z
14 cm

Above diagram NMQP, is a Trapezium made of a metal sheet 22 cm wide and bent
such that the base is 14 cm, leaving 4 cm for each side to be bent.
The Trapezium is examined further to obtain additional information of it, by applying
properties of a trapezium and mathematical formulae and expressions.

K L P
N
𝜃 𝜃
A C B

x cm x cm
4 cm 4 cm

𝜃 𝜃
Y M Q Z
14 cm

The Trapezium is divided into Three (3) Parts; MNK is Triangle A, MKLQ is Rectangle
C and QLP is Triangle B. Triangle A and Triangle B are both right-angle triangles and
are congruent. Rectangle C has sides 14cm and X. Angle YMN and Angle MNK are
alternating angles and are therefore equal. In order to bend the sides to give the
required trapezium above, the angle must be acute, which ranges from 0° to 90°
(degrees).
Triangle A is examined in a clearer diagram:

N K
𝜃

A
x

4 cm

90 − 𝜃
𝜃
Y M

Examining Triangle A, there are two methods to solving for X, the height of triangle
(breath of rectangle):
𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐸𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 sin 𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 cos(90 − 𝜃) =
𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
[𝑥] [𝑥]
𝐸𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 sin 𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 cos(90 − 𝜃) =
4 4
𝐸𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 [𝑥] = 4 sin 𝜃 𝑜𝑟 [x] = 4 cos(90 − 𝜃)
Triangle A and Triangle B are combined and then examined:

𝜃 𝜃

A B

4 cm 4 cm

180 − 2𝜃

𝜃 𝜃

Examining combined Triangles A and B, the area of the combined Triangles A and B
can be evaluated:

[𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐴] x [𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐶] x [sin 𝜃]

Area of Triangle FORMULA =
2
[4] x [4] x [sin(180 − 2𝜃)]
Area of Combined Triangles A & B =
2
Area of Combined Triangles A & B = 8 sin(180 − 2𝜃)
Rectangle C is examined:

14 cm
K L

x cm C x cm

Q
M 14 cm

By solving for X using Triangle A, the area of rectangle C can be evaluated:

Using Sine Angle Method:

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = [𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ] x [𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑡ℎ]
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = [14] x [4 sin 𝜃]
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 56 sin 𝜃
___________________________________________________________________
Using Cosine Angle Method:
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = [𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ] x [𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑡ℎ]
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = [14] x [4 cos(90 − 𝜃)]

Apply Compound Angle Formula:

cos(𝛼 ± 𝛽) = cos 𝛼 cos 𝛽 ∓ sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = [14] x [4 {cos 90 cos 𝜃 + sin 90 sin 𝜃]
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = [14] x [4 sin 𝜃]
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 56 sin 𝜃
___________________________________________________________________
End Result for using either method is the same:
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 56 sin 𝜃
Knowing the areas Of Triangles A and B, and Rectangle C, the total area of the
trapezium is found:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎, [𝐴] = [𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠] + [Area of Rectangle]
[𝐴] = [8 sin(180 − 2𝜃)] + [56 sin 𝜃]
[𝐴] = [8 sin(180 − 2𝜃) + 56 sin 𝜃]

Apply Compound Angle Formula:

sin(𝛼 ± 𝛽) = sin 𝛼 cos 𝛽 ± sin 𝛽 cos 𝛼
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎, [𝐴] = [8{[sin 180 cos 2𝜃] − [sin 2𝜃 cos 180]} + 56 sin 𝜃]
[𝐴] = [8 sin 2𝜃 + 56 sin 𝜃]

Hence, the area of the trapezium, A cm2, is given in terms of sine of the angle ϴ, of
the bent sides of the trapezium.
SOLUTION

Assumptions:

1. It is expected that the angle required to bend the sides of the trapezium is acute
and therefore can only lie within the first quadrant, which ranges from 0° to 90°
(degrees).
2. It is assumed that the trapezium can be divided into three (3) shapes, a
rectangle at the centre and two (2) congruent triangles.
3. Consequently, finding the sum of these three (3) shapes is equivalent to the
exact area of the trapezium.

Graphical Method:

To obtain the best angle to give maximum carrying capacity of the guttering, a table
will be created for values of angle ϴ using the domain 0° ≤ ϴ ≤ 90° (degrees) in intervals
of 15° (degrees) and corresponding values of a will be calculated using the equation
[𝐴] = [8 sin 2𝜃 + 56 sin 𝜃].
A graph of area of trapezium (A cm2) VS the angle (ϴ° (degrees)) at which the sides
of the trapezium are bent will then be plotted on graph paper and hence the best angle
to give maximum area will be obtained.

Calculus Method:

To obtain the best angle to give maximum carrying capacity of the guttering, the area
𝑑𝐴
of the trapezium will be differentiated for the first derivative function 𝑑ϴ . For stationary
𝑑𝐴
values (maximum or minimum), the first derivative function will be equated to zero
𝑑ϴ
(0) since the turning points are the maximum or minimum value.
To determine whether the values obtained are maximum or minimum values, the
𝑑2 𝐴 𝑑2 𝐴
second derivative will then be found. A negative value of will indicate that the
𝑑ϴ2 𝑑ϴ2
𝑑2 𝐴
area of the trapezium is a maximum value. A positive value of 𝑑ϴ2 will indicate that the
area of the trapezium is a minimum value.
When the angle for the sides of the trapezium to be bent at is known, it will be
substituted into the equation for A, the maximum area of the trapezium.
Graphical Method:

[𝐴] = [8 sin 2𝜃 + 56 sin 𝜃]

Area A
Angle ϴ (Degrees)
(cm2)
0 0
15 18.49
30 34.93
45 47.60
60 55.43
75 58.09
90 56.00

Area Of Trapezium
70

60

50
Area A (cm2)

40

30

20

10

0
0 15 30 45 60 75 90
Angle ϴ (Degrees)

Area Of Trapezium

From the graphical method, it is seen that the maximum value for the area A, of the
trapezium, is 58.09 cm2 and is obtained when the angle ϴ, the sides of the trapezium
is bent at is 75° (degrees).
Calculus Method:

[𝐴] = [8 sin 2𝜃 + 56 sin 𝜃]

Differentiate:
𝑑𝐴
= [16 cos 2𝜃 + 56 cos 𝜃]
𝑑𝜃
𝑑𝐴
Maximum or Minimum Area occurs when gradient is zero: =0
𝑑𝜃

0 = [16 cos 2𝜃 + 56 cos 𝜃]

Applying Trigonometry Identities:

0 = [16{(2 cos 𝜃)2 − 1} + 56 cos 𝜃]
0 = [32(cos 𝜃)2 − 16 + 56 cos 𝜃]

Divide Throughout the Equation by Eight (8):

0 = [4(cos 𝜃)2 − 2 + 7 cos 𝜃]

Solve Quadratic By Applying Formula:

−[𝑏] ± √[{𝑏}2 − {4}{𝑎}{𝑐}]

cos 𝜃 =
[{2}{𝑎}]

−[7] ± √[{7}2 − {4}{4}{−2}]

cos 𝜃 =
[{2}{4}]

−7 ± √[49 + 32]
cos 𝜃 =
8
−7 ± √81
cos 𝜃 =
8
−7 ± 9
cos 𝜃 =
8
1
𝐸𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 cos 𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 cos 𝜃 = −2
4
1
cos 𝜃 = −2 Cannot be evaluated, therefore only solution to the problem is: cos 𝜃 = 4

1
cos 𝜃 =
4
1
𝜃 = cos −1 ( )
4
This angle is in the first quadrant and fourth quadrant. However, the angle is acute
and therefore can only be in the first quadrant:
𝜃 = 75.52° (Degrees)

To determine whether it is a maximum or minimum value for the area of the trapezium,
substitute angle ϴ into the second derivative:
Differentiate The First Derivative:
𝑑2𝐴
= [−18 sin 2𝜃 − 56 sin 𝜃]
𝑑𝜃 2
𝑑2𝐴
= [−18 sin{2(75.52)} − 56 sin(75.52)]
𝑑𝜃 2
𝑑2𝐴
= [−18 sin(151.04) − 56 sin(75.52)]
𝑑𝜃 2
𝑑2𝐴
= [(−18)(0.48) − (56)(0.97)]
𝑑𝜃 2
𝑑2𝐴
= [−8.71 − 54.22]
𝑑𝜃 2
𝑑2𝐴
= −62.93
𝑑𝜃 2

The angle obtained will give a maximum value for the area of the trapezium.
From the calculus method, it is seen that the best angle, the sides of the trapezium
should bent at, is 75.52° (degrees).
Maximum Area of Trapezium:
[𝐴] = [8 sin 2𝜃 + 56 sin 𝜃]
[𝐴] = [8 sin 2(75.52) + 56 sin(75.52)]
[𝐴] = [8 sin 151.04) + 56 sin(75.52)]
[𝐴] = [(8)(0.48) + (56)(0.97)]
[𝐴] = [3.87 + 54.22]
[𝐴] = 58.09 𝑐𝑚2

From the calculus method and the angle obtained, the maximum area of the trapezium
is 58.09 cm2.
DICUSSION

It is noticeable that the values obtained for angle ϴ, at which the sides of the trapezium
should be bent, differ slightly from the two (2) methods used. The graphical method
gives a best approximated value (ϴ = 75° (degrees)) and is dependent on how precise
the points were plotted and the curve drawn, whereas the calculus method provides a
more precise value (ϴ = 75.52° (degrees)). Therefore, for these real-life problems, the
calculus method should be used to attain a more accurate result, without the many
errors associated with the graphical solutions.

CONCLUSION

Using the 22 cm wide metal sheet, the guttering in shape of a trapezium with a base
of 14 cm, can be constructed to give a maximum carrying capacity of 58.09 cm 2 and
this occurs when the angle at which the sides of the trapezium is bent, is 75.52°
(degrees).
As observed, the value from the calculus method will be used.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ANALYSIS

Further investigations involving the rates of inflow and outflow of the trapezium-shaped
guttering can be carry out for future projects. In addition to this, guttering can be made
in many other shapes such as a semi-circle or triangle which could have a better
carrying capacity than a trapezium and therefore investigations pertaining to these
shapes can be carried out for future projects.