Problema Solution

A close box with a square base is to be made out of 600 cm^2 of metal. Find the dimensions of the box so that its volume is a maximum. Find he value of this maximum volume.

Answer provided by our tutors

let


a = the length of the side of the square base


h = the height of the box


A = 600 cm^2 the are of the box


A = 2a^2 + 4ah


2a^2 + 4ah = 600


h = (600 - 2a^2)/(4a)


h = (300 - a^2)/(2a)


V = a^2*h


V = a^2*((300 - a^2)/(2a))


V = 150a - (1/2)a^3


we need to find the maximum of the function: y = (1/2)x^3 - 150x


y' = (3/2)x^2 - 150


by solving (3/2)x^2 - 150 = 0 we find:


x = 10


click here to see the step by step solution of the equation:


Click to see all the steps



a = 10 cm


h = (300 - a^2)/(2a)


h = (300 - 10^2)/(2*10)


h = 200/20


h = 10 cm


V = 10^2*10


V = 1000 cm^3


the dimensions of the box are: the box is a cube with a side that has a length of 10 cm.


the volume of the cube is 1,000 cm^3.