A rectangular box with a volume of 40ft^3 has a square base. Create an equation for the surface area of the box in terms of x and y. Then find a function that models its surface area in terms of one side of its base x.

Question

So far I have: y = 40/x^2 how should I proceed from here.

Answer 1

The surface area consists of two square bases and four rectangular sides:

A = 2x^2 + 4xy = 2x^2 + 160/x