Homework Help: LaGrange max/min (calc 3)

1. Jun 27, 2008

jaredmt

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
i needed to find the max and min possible volume for a box with edges that = 200cm and surface area that = 1500cm^2 using Lagrange multipliers.

2. Relevant equations
edges: 4x + 4y + 4z = 200cm
Area: 2xy + 2xz + 2yz = 1500 cm^2
Volume = xyz

3. The attempt at a solution

i brought it down to this:
Vol = f
Area = G
Edges = g

^f = ^G# + ^g$(# and & just means 'some number') ( ^ is the gradient of the function) when i simplify everything out i get these statements: yz = #(y + z) +$
xz = #(x + z) + $xy = #(x + y) +$
x + y +z = 50
xy + yz + yz = 750

when i try to replace values it seems to get messy. do i just throw in random values for # and $or something? im 99% sure that they cannot = 0. that is pretty much all i can say from these statements right now lol 2. Jun 27, 2008 Dick Let's call L=# and M=$. Subtract your first two equation from each other. This gives (x-y)*z=L*(x-y). Or (z-L)*(x-y)=0. This tells you either z=L or x=y. Similarly y=L or x=z, or x=L or y=z. If you think about it, in any case, two of the lengths must be equal. Put this information into your last two equations. Now you have two equations in two unknowns. Not hard to solve at all.

3. Jun 28, 2008

jaredmt

ok cool, thanks a lot, found the answer