SOLUTION: A wire 26 cm long is cut into two pieces, one of length x and the other of length 26 − x. Each piece is bent into the shape of a square. (a) Find a function that models the

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations -> SOLUTION: A wire 26 cm long is cut into two pieces, one of length x and the other of length 26 − x. Each piece is bent into the shape of a square. (a) Find a function that models the       Log On


   



Question 1035128: A wire 26 cm long is cut into two pieces, one of length x and the other of length 26 − x. Each piece is bent into the shape of a square.
(a) Find a function that models the total area A enclosed by the two squares in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of x that minimizes the total area of the two squares.

Answer by fractalier(6550) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The area of the two squares is given by
A%28x%29+=+%28x%2F4%29%5E2+%2B+%28%2826-x%29%2F4%29%5E2+=+x%5E2%2F16+%2B+%2826-x%29%5E2%2F16
To minimize this we take the derivative A'(x) and set it equal to zero...we get
dA%2Fdx+=+x%2F8+-+%2826-x%29%2F8+=+0
which yields
2x - 26 = 0
x = 13