Asked by Ellison

A rectangular block is constructed so that its length is 3 times the width. Find the dimension of the rectangular block that will give the least possible surface area if the volume of the block is 81 cubic meters.

Answers

Answered by Steve
The block's dimensions are w, 3w, h
v = 3w^2h = 81, so h = 81/(3w^2) = 27/w^2
The area is
a = 2(w*3w + wh + 3wh) = 6w^2 + 4wh = 6w^2 + 4w*27/w^2 = 6w^2 + 108/w
for minimum area, you want da/dw = 0, so
da/dw = 12w - 108/w^2 = 12(w^3-9)/w^2
da/dw=0 when w^3-9 = 0
w = ∛9
...
Answered by scott
a square cross-section gives the least surface area

so the volume is ... 81 = 3 w * w * w = 3 w^3

the block is 3 x 3 x 9


to Steve ... you lost a factor of two in your area calculation ... a = ....
Answered by Steve - Ouch
rats. Way to watch.
Answered by Don
Im so confused with these. Can anyone elaborate more on this?
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