Optimization Problems (Part 2) Let l be the length of the rectangle

w – width of the rectangle

Example 7: The perimeter of a rectangle Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to the
is 80 m and its length is x m. What are triangle ABC:
the dimensions of the rectangle that l 2 2
enclose the maximum area. ()
2
+w =4
Sol’n: x 2 l2
w =4−
4
y
2 16−l 2
w =
P=2 x +2 y (constraint) 4
16−l 2
2 x+2 y=8 0 w= √
y=40−x 2

A=x y (optimization equation) A=lw

A=x ( 40−x ) √16−l2
A=40 x−x 2
A=l (2 )
l 16−l 2
dA A= √
=40−2 x 2
dx
40−2 x=0
A' =2 ¿ ¿
2 x=40
x=20
−l 2
2
+ √16−l 2
dA
=40−2 x A' =
√16−l
dx 2
−l +16−l 2
2
d2 A '
2
=−2 A=
dx 2 √ 16−l 2
d2 A ' −2 l 2+16
<0 , so there is a maximum at x=20. A=
d x2 2 √ 16−l 2
' −l 2 +8
When x = 20, A=
y=40−x √ 16−l2
y=40−20
y=20 −l 2+ 8
=0
√16−l2
∴ T he dimensions are 20 m× 20 m. −l 2 +8=0
l 2=8
Example 8: Write a function that involves l=2 √ 2 dm
the sum of two positive real numbers
whose product is 16 and whose sum is a Test: (Second Derivative Test)
minimum. ' −l 2 +8
xy=16 (constraint) A=
16
√ 16−l2
y=
x ( √ 16−l2 ) (−2 l )−(−l2 +8 ) −2l 2
( )
S= x+ y (optimization equation) 2 √ 16−l
A' ' =
16 16−l 2
S= x+ , where x >0
x l3 −8 l
−2l √ 16−l 2−
Example 9: A rectangle is to be inscribed A' ' =
√ 16−l2
in a semicircle with radius 2 dm. Find the 16−l 2
dimensions of the rectangle that enclose −2l ( 16−l 2 )−l 3 +8 l
A' ' =
the maximum area. 16−l 2 √ 16−l 2
−32l+2 l 3−l 3 +8 l
A' ' =
( 16−l 2 ) √ 16−l 2
−24 l+l 3
A' ' =
( 16−l2 ) √ 16−l2

When l=2 √ 2 dm :
 3
'' −24 (2 √2)+(2 √ 2)
A =
( 16−(2 √ 2)2 ) √ 16−(2 √2)2
−48 √ 2+16 √2
A' ' =
( 16−8 ) ( 2 √ 2 )
−32 √ 2
A' ' =
16 √2
''
A =−2
A' ' < 0 , so there is a maximum at l=2 √ 2

16−l 2
w= √
2
2

w= √
16−( 2 √ 2 )
2
16−8
w= √
2
2 √2
w=
2
w=√ 2 dm
∴ The dimensions of the rectangle are l=2 √ 2 dm∧w=√ 2dm
.

Example 10: A piece of wire 12 cm long

is bent in the shape of a rectangle. Find
the maximum area of the rectangle.
Sol’n: x

P=2 x +2 y
2 x+2 y=12
2 y=12−2 x
y=6−x

A=xy
A=x ( 6−x )
A=6 x−x 2
A' =6−2 x
6−2 x =0
−2 x=−6
x=3

Test: (2nd Derivative Test)

A' =6−2 x
A' ' =−2
A' ' < 0 , so there is a maximum at x=3 .
y=6−x
y=6−3
y=3

A=xy
A=( 3 ) (3 )
∴ The maximum area of the rectangle is 9 cm2 .