Question 146018
A rectangular box with volume 468 cubic feet is built with a square base and top. The cost is $1.50 per square foot for the top and the bottom and $2.00 per square foot for the sides. Let x represent the length of a side of the base in feet. Express the cost of the box as a function of x and then graph this function. From the graph find the value of x, to the nearest hundredth of a foot, which will minimize the cost of the box.
:
Let h = the height of the box
the area of the bottom = x^2
Therefore:
x^2*h = volume
x^2*h = 468
Find h
h = {{{468/x^2}}}
:
Area of the sides = x*h
Substituting {{{468/x^2}}} for h
Area of the sides = x({{{468/x^2}}}) = {{{468/x}}}
Cost of 4 sides = 2(4({{{468/x}}})) = {{{3744/x}}}
:
Cost of the bottom and the top = 1.50(2x^2) = 3x^2
:
Total cost = f(x)
:
f(x) = 3x^2 + {{{3744/x}}}
Use this equation to plot a graph y = f(x) = cost
{{{ graph( 300, 200, -10, 20, -200, 1200, 3x^2+(3744/x)) }}}
:
I graphed it on my TI83, and found the minimum:
minimum cost at; x = 8.545 ft,
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