Express the length y of the building as a function of the width x

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on expressing the dimensions of a small office unit with a fixed area of 500 square feet. The length y is derived as a function of width x, resulting in the equation y = 500/x. For the cost of the walls, the perimeter is calculated based on the dimensions, leading to the cost function C = $100 * (2(x + 500/x)). Participants clarify their calculations and express confusion over discrepancies with the book's answers, which include a different cost function. The conversation emphasizes the importance of showing work to identify errors and align with provided solutions.
lolilovepie
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A small office unit is to contain 500 feet sq of floor space.

(a) Express the length y of the building as a function of the width x.

(b) If the walls cost $100 per running foot, express the cost
C of the walls as a function of the width x. (Disregard the wall space above the doors and the thickness of the walls.)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I kept getting a different answer then the back in the book. :\

(a) Area=xy, so 500=xy, y=500/x
(b) Perimeter=2(x+y), so perimeter=2(x+500/x)=2((x^2+500)/x). The cost C is $100*perimeter, so C=$100*2((x^2+500)/x)=200((x^2+500)/x)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
To help you we need to see your working, not the correct working from the book.
 
The book's answers mostly ARE the steps. They should be understandable.
 
lolilovepie said:

Homework Statement



A small office unit is to contain 500 feet sq of floor space.

(a) Express the length y of the building as a function of the width x.

(b) If the walls cost $100 per running foot, express the cost
C of the walls as a function of the width x. (Disregard the wall space above the doors and the thickness of the walls.)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I kept getting a different answer then the back in the book. :\

(a) Area=xy, so 500=xy, y=500/x
(b) Perimeter=2(x+y), so perimeter=2(x+500/x)=2((x^2+500)/x). The cost C is $100*perimeter, so C=$100*2((x^2+500)/x)=200((x^2+500)/x)
This is the answer in the book? If you keep getting a different answer, we can't tell you what you did wrong unless you tell us what you did!
 
This part is my work listed below! not the answer from the book! (sorry for the confusion) :

(a) Area=xy, so 500=xy, y=500/x
(b) Perimeter=2(x+y), so perimeter=2(x+500/x)=2((x^2+500)/x). The cost C is $100*perimeter, so C=$100*2((x^2+500)/x)=200((x^2+500)/x)
 
lolilovepie said:
This part is my work listed below! not the answer from the book! (sorry for the confusion) :

(a) Area=xy, so 500=xy, y=500/x
(b) Perimeter=2(x+y), so perimeter=2(x+500/x)=2((x^2+500)/x).
The cost C is $100*perimeter, so C=$100*2((x^2+500)/x)=200((x^2+500)/x)

What's the answer that's given in the book?

I didn't realize that the above was your work (your OP wasn't clear on this), so I will rescind the notification I gave you earlier.
 
lolilovepie said:
This part is my work listed below! not the answer from the book! (sorry for the confusion) :

(a) Area=xy, so 500=xy, y=500/x
(b) Perimeter=2(x+y), so perimeter=2(x+500/x)=2((x^2+500)/x). The cost C is $100*perimeter, so C=$100*2((x^2+500)/x)=200((x^2+500)/x)

As you may have judged from the responses so far, we all agree with your working! What is the answer in the book?
Btw, I notice it says "Disregard the wall space above the doors". Are you told the number and width of the doors, or should it say "disregard that some wall will be displaced by doors"?
 
Mark44 said:
What's the answer that's given in the book?

I didn't realize that the above was your work (your OP wasn't clear on this), so I will rescind the notification I gave you earlier.

The answer in the book was a) y(x)=500/x b) c(x)=300x+(100,000/x) -600

it also came with this image (forgot to post it) : http://tinypic.com/r/2d9w9xk/5
 
haruspex said:
As you may have judged from the responses so far, we all agree with your working! What is the answer in the book?
Btw, I notice it says "Disregard the wall space above the doors". Are you told the number and width of the doors, or should it say "disregard that some wall will be displaced by doors"?

sorry, it also came with this picture that i forgot to post : http://tinypic.com/r/2d9w9xk/5
yeah , that's all it say
 
  • #10
lolilovepie said:
sorry, it also came with this picture that i forgot to post : http://tinypic.com/r/2d9w9xk/5
yeah , that's all it say

Your computation of wall material length (what you call the perimeter) does not match the diagram. Start again!
 
Back
Top