You only have three sides, usual solution does not apply
2 w + L = 750 (note not 2 L)
so L = 750 - 2 w
A = w L = w (750-2w)
-2w^2 + 750 w = A
w^2 - 375 w = -A/2
w^2 - 375 w + (375/2)^2 = -A/2 + 35156
(w-375/2)^2 = -(1/2)(A -70,312)
max at w = 375/2 = 188
Manuel wants to build a rectangular pen for his animals. One side of the pen will be against the barn; the other three sides will be enclosed with wire fencing. If Manuel has 750 feet of fencing, what dimensions would maximize the area of the pen?
a) Let w be the length of the pen perpendicular to the barn. Write an equation to model the area of the pen in terms of w
-----I think this part should be w^2 but that isn't the correct answer------
b) What width w would maximize the area?
-----i know squares have maximized area
But it seems like I keep solving this problem and getting the wrong answer.-----
1 answer
2 answers