Calculus 8th Edition

Published by Cengage
ISBN 10: 1285740629
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-062-1

Chapter 3 - Applications of Differentiation - 3.7 Optimization Problems - 3.7 Exercises - Page 265: 13

Answer

$1000$ feet by $1500$ feet

Work Step by Step

Let $x$ and $y$ be the field's dimensions. $xy$ = $1.5{\times}{10^{6}}$ $y$ = $\frac{1.5{\times}{10^{6}}}{x}$ We have to minimize the amount of fencing, which is $F(x)=3x+2y$ = $3x+2(\frac{1.5{\times}{10^{6}}}{x})$ = $3x+\frac{3{\times}{10^{6}}}{x}$ $F'(x)$ = $3-\frac{3{\times}{10^{6}}}{x^{2}}$ = $\frac{3(x^{2}-10^{6})}{x^{2}}$ The critical number is $x$ = $10^{3}$ and $F'(x)$ $\lt$ $0$ for $0$ $\lt$ $x$ $\lt$ $10^{3}$x $F'(x)$ $\gt$ $0$ if $x$ $\gt$ $10^{3}$ so the absolute minimum occurs when $x$ = $10^{3}$ and $y$ = $1.5{\times}{10^{3}}$ The field should be $1000$ feet by $1500$ feet with the middle fence parallel to the short side of the field
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.