Finding Maximum Area of Inscribed Rectangle in a Triangle Using Differentiation

In summary, the conversation is about a calculus question regarding finding the maximum area of a rectangle inscribed within a triangle. The person is looking for help in setting up the equation and taking the derivative. They are advised to start by drawing a picture and finding the relationship between the sides of the triangle.
  • #1
theCandyman
398
2
I recently had a calculus midterm, but was baffled at how to even start this question. Can anyone point me in the direction to start it? It deals with the maximum/minimum section using differentiation.

What is the maximum area of a rectangle inscribed within a triangle with sides 12, 16 and 20?
 
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  • #3
That is so ironic, I go to Georgia Tech. Everyone here is always bashing UGA about being a school of dumb people. I appreciate it, but I was hoping for a more direct help, such as the set up for the equation. I know A = bh, but what do I take the deritive with respect to?
 
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  • #4
begin by drawing a picture. center the triangle on the xy plane. draw an arbitary inscribed rectangle and label the point where the triangle and rectangle meet as (x,y). you should also have a symmetric point labeled (-x,y). find relationship between y and x (using the length of the 3 sides of the triangle). express the area for the rect in terms of x, differentiate, set to zero, and solve.
 

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