<PRE><B>Question 121978</B>
A rectangular flower bed is to be constructed along the front of a house.If there is 30m of landscaping border to be used along the side of the house, determine the dimensions of the flower bed and the maximum area which can be enclosed. 
I began with 30=2w+l
------------
l=30-2w
Area = l*w = (30-2w)*w
Area = -2w^2+30w
This is a quadratic equation with a=-2 and b=30:
The maximum area occurs when w=-b/2a= -30/(-4) = 7.5 meters
----------------
The dimensions that give maximum area are w=7.5 meters; l = 30-2w= 15 meters.
==================
Cheers,
Stan H.
</PRE>