Why F is the Way it is for Classical Mechanics Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the optimization problem of maximizing the area fenced off by a flexible fence of length L attached to a house, with the house's width being 2a. The mathematical formulation involves the action A[y] defined as the integral of y(x) over the interval [-a, a], constrained by the constant length L, expressed as the integral of the square root of the sum of 1 and the derivative of y squared. The key equation derived is δA + λδL = 0, where λ represents the ratio of the area to the length. The function F(y, y', x) is defined as y + λ√(1 + y'^2), prompting inquiries into its specific form and implications for the problem.

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of the classical kind

All i need here is an explanation as why F is the way it is
A person wished to fence off a maximum area for hi8s dog by attachin a flexible fence of length L to the side of his house whose width is 2a. What should the slope of the fence be?
Assume L > 2a
well then the action
[tex]A[y] = \int_{-a}^{a} y(x) dx[/tex] is a maximum
subject to constant L where [tex]L = \int_{-a}^{a} \sqrt{1+y'^2} dx[/tex]
If L[y,y'} = constant then [itex]\delta L = 0[/itex]
and A[y,y'] = constant at its maximum
then
[tex]\delta A + \lambda \delta L = 0[/tex] where
[tex]\lambda = \frac{[A]}{[L]}[/tex]
we also want that [tex]\delta \int_{-a}^{a} F(y,y',x) dx = 0[/tex]
where [tex]F = y + \lambda \sqrt{1+y'^2}[/tex]
thats the problem, Why is F the way it is ? Maybe the attached diagram helps...
 

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can anyone help out?

is it because f takes on the shape of half a unit circle?

Or will any function do?
 
maximizing the Area provided the "y" term,
using all the fence material provided the sqrt term.
Whether you put the lambda multplier with the sqrt term
or with the y term was your choice, back in step 4 ...
 

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