If the triangle has side x, then the area
a = ((11-3x)/4)^2 + √3/4 x^2
That's just a parabola. Its vertex will be the minimum area. For maximum, check to see which is greater: a(0) or a(11).
A piece of wire 11 m long is cut into two pieces. One piece is bent into a square and the other is bent into an equilateral triangle.
(a) How much wire should be used for the square in order to maximize the total area?
(b) How much wire should be used for the square in order to minimize the total area?
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