# OPTIMIZATION: Minimizing Packaging Costs

EmilyGia47

## Homework Statement

A rectangular box is to have a square base and a volume of 20 ft3. If the material for the base costs $0.30/square foot, the material for the sides costs$0.10/square foot, and the material for the top costs \$0.20/square foot, determine the dimensions of the box that can be constructed at minimum cost.

Optimization.

## The Attempt at a Solution

I know basic optimization... I will take the derivative to find a candidate for a relative minimum, and then verify it... But I REALLY need help trying to find the formula that I will use. I cannot seem to derive it from the information given. Any help is appreciated.

## The Attempt at a Solution

Homework Helper
Start out by labeling the variables that you need to determine the shape of the box. Then figure out formulas for the areas of the top and sides in terms of those variables. Then use that to write down a cost function to minimize. If you still have questions after you've shown us that much, I'm sure someone will help. You've got to at least START the problem.

EmilyGia47
My attempt...

The volume of the box would be found by x2y.

So the cost function should be...

C(x) = .30x * .10y * .20z

or

C(x) = .30x2 * .10y * .20z

Then I would optimize... But I am having trouble determining if I have derived the correct equation...

Can anyone help?