document.write( "Question 1051143: Find the dimensions of the rectangular corral split into 2 pens of the same size producing the greatest possible enclosed area given 600 feet of fencing. (Assume that the length is greater than or equal to the width.) \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #666729 by ikleyn(52800)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "Find the dimensions of the rectangular corral split into 2 pens of the same size producing the greatest possible
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\r\n" ); document.write( "I prepared the Figure on the right to show how I see and understand       \r\n" ); document.write( "the condition.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "In the Figure, L means the length and W means the width of each pen.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "So, we have 3 pieces of fencing of the length L each and 4 pieces \r\n" ); document.write( "of fencing of the length W each.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Then we have this equation \r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "3L + 4W = 600,\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "from which we have W = \"%28600+-+3L%29%2F4\".\r\n" ); document.write( " \r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "        Figure. \r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "
Next, the combined area of the two corals is \r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "A = L*2W = \"L%2A2%28600+-+3L%29%2F4\" = \"%281%2F2%29%2A%28600L+-+3L%5E2%29\" = \"-%283%2F2%29L%5E2+%2B+300L\",\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "and we have to find the length L in a way to maximize the area A, i.e. maximize the quadratic function\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "A = \"-%283%2F2%29L%5E2+%2B+300L%29\".\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( " Now let me remind you that, if you have a quadratic function f(x) = \"ax%5E2+%2B+bx+%2B+c\" of the general form, \r\n" ); document.write( " then it reaches the maximum/minimum at x = \"-b%2F2a\".\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "For our situation, a = \"-3%2F2\" and b = 300.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Therefore, the maximum is at L = - \"%28-300%29%2F%282%2A%283%2F2%29%29\" = \"%28300%2A2%29%2F%282%2A3%29\" = 100.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Thus the area get a maximum at L = 100 feet.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Then W = \"%28600+-+3L%29%2F4\" = \"%28600+-+3%2A100%29%2F4\" = 75 feet.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Answer. The area is maximal at L = 100 feet and W = 75 feet.\r\n" ); document.write( " Then the area of one coral is 100*75 = 7500 square feet.\r\n" ); document.write( " The combined area of the two corals is twice this value, i.e. 15000 square feet.\r\n" ); document.write( "
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The plot below confirms this solution.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Plot f(L) = \"-%283%2F2%29L%5E2+%2B+300L%29\"\r
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