Optimize Perimeter of Window: 3m² Rectangle & Triangle

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves optimizing the dimensions of a rectangle and an isosceles triangle that together have an area of 3m², with the goal of minimizing the total perimeter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationships between the areas of the triangle and rectangle, and how these relate to the total perimeter. There are attempts to derive equations for perimeter based on dimensions expressed in terms of a single variable.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the perimeter equations and their derivatives. Some participants provide feedback on the formulation of the equations and suggest clarifications regarding the components of the perimeter. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to refine the approach without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly accounting for the perimeter of the triangle in relation to the rectangle, as well as the implications of variable definitions on the derivative calculations. There is also acknowledgment of potential misunderstandings in notation that could affect clarity.

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Homework Statement


If the area of the window is 3m² what are the dimensions of a rectangle and (isosceles)triangle that will minimize the perimeter.
http://s12.postimage.org/r1czis8jh/optimize.png --DIAGRAM

Homework Equations



Let AreaTotal=3
Let Areatotal=Atriangle+Arectangle

Arectangle=lxw
Atriangle =bxh/2

The Attempt at a Solution



so because the triangle is isosceles the base and height are = x.

so Atriangle = x*x/2=x²
Arectangle= l*w=xy

Atotal = Atriangle+Arectangle
3=x²/2 + xy
y=(6-x²)/2x(1)-- y in terms of x

Prectangle= 2y+x
= 2(6-x²)/2x +x
=(6-x²)/x +x
=(6-x²+x²)/x
=6/x
it is only 2y+x because the perimieter of the window does not include the 4 rectangle side.

Ptriangle= x+x+√(2x²)
=2x+√(2x²)
The perimeter of the triangle includes opposite adjacent and hypotanuse sides.

Perimeter Total=Ptriangle + Prectangle.
Ptotal=6/x + 2x+√(2x²)

Ptotal=¸(6+2x²+x²*√(2))/xDomain: XER, X Cannot Be Zero.

Now before i go any further, i was wondering if i could get some help ion figuring out if the equation i derived would be correct... Because from here, i would Take the derivative and determine critical points and a minimum value and then solves for the sides.. Anyway i appreciate any help :D
 
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Plutonium88 said:

Homework Statement


If the area of the window is 3m² what are the dimensions of a rectangle and (isosceles)triangle that will minimize the perimeter.
http://s12.postimage.org/r1czis8jh/optimize.png --DIAGRAM

Homework Equations



Let AreaTotal=3
Let Areatotal=Atriangle+Arectangle

Arectangle=lxw
Atriangle =bxh/2

The Attempt at a Solution



so because the triangle is isosceles the base and height are = x.

so Atriangle = x*x/2=x²
Arectangle= l*w=xy

Atotal = Atriangle+Arectangle
3=x²/2 + xy
y=(6-x²)/2x(1)-- y in terms of x

Prectangle= 2y+x
it is only 2y+x because the perimieter of the window does not include the 4 rectangle side.

Ptriangle= x+x+√(2x²)
The perimeter of the triangle includes opposite adjacent and hypotanuse sides.

Perimeter Total=Ptriangle + Prectangle.

But you don't include the whole perimeter of the triangle in the exterior perimeter either so the 2 highlighted below should be 1.
Ptotal=(2y+x) + (2x+√(2x²))

And writing ##x\sqrt 2## as ##\sqrt{2x^2}## will only complicate the derivative later.
 
LCKurtz said:
But you don't include the whole perimeter of the triangle in the exterior perimeter either so the 2 highlighted below should be 1.


And writing ##x\sqrt 2## as ##\sqrt{2x^2}## will only complicate the derivative later.

Ah yea you`re right, i don't know why i was including the side between the rectangle and triangle.. And okay, i`ll keep it as √(2x²), thank you for the tip.

i`m going to rewrite it again, do you mind checking again?
 
LCKurtz said:
But you don't include the whole perimeter of the triangle in the exterior perimeter either so the 2 highlighted below should be 1.


And writing ##x\sqrt 2## as ##\sqrt{2x^2}## will only complicate the derivative later.

So...

Ptriangle = x+2√x²
Prectangle= 2y+x=6/x

Ptotal = ptriangle+prectangle
ptotal=6/x + x + √2x²
ptotal=( 6 + x² + x√2x²)/x

p`total=( x(2x+√2x²-2x/√(2x²))-(6+x²+ x√2x²) ) / x²

p`total=(2x² + x√2x²-((x²/√(2x²)) - 6 - x² - x√2x²)/x²
p`total= (x² - x²/√(2x²) - 6)/x²
p`total= (x²(√(2x²)) - 6(√(2x²)) -x²)/x²(√(2x²))
p`total= x(x²√2 -6√2 - x)/x²(√(2x²))
p`total=(x²√2 -6√2 - x)/x(√(2x²))

now i have a quadratic in the numerator..
p`=0
0=x²√2 -x -6√2

Is this correct ?
 
LCKurtz said:
But you don't include the whole perimeter of the triangle in the exterior perimeter either so the 2 highlighted below should be 1.


And writing ##x\sqrt 2## as ##\sqrt{2x^2}## will only complicate the derivative later.

Plutonium88 said:
So...

Ptriangle = x+2√x²

One leg plus hypotenuse gives ##x+x\sqrt 2##.
 
LCKurtz said:
One leg plus hypotenuse gives ##x+x\sqrt 2##.

ptriangle= x+x√2
prectangle=x+2y
=2(6-x²)/2x+x
=6/x

Ptotal=ptriangle+prectangle
Ptotal= 6/x + x +x√2

ptotal= (6 + x² + x²√2)/x

p`total= ( (0 +2x + 2x√2)(x) - (6 + x² + x²√2)(1) )/x²

p`total= (2x² + 2x²√2 -6 - x² - x²√2)/x²
p`total=(x² + x²√2 -6)/x²

How about this :O
 
Plutonium88 said:
p`total=(x² + x²√2 -6)/x²

How about this :O

That's better. So what do you get for the dimensions and the minimum perimeter?
 
LCKurtz said:
One leg plus hypotenuse gives ##x+x\sqrt 2##.

okay so..
if p`total=(x² + x²√2-6)/x²

p`total= dne
x=0 (restricted by domain)

p`total=0
0=x² + x²√2-6
6 = x²(1+√2)
x=√(6/(1+√2))
x= +/-1.576

I so plotted this on a line..

**i made a chart here but it didnt work.. i basically took the values of the slope before and after the point 1.58

so what i found was

+ -1.58 -
positive before, negative after, so therefore that was a maxiumum.
and then

- 1.58 +
negative before positive after, so i found that this point was a minimum, so it had to be the minimum value.
**i plugged in values before and after and determined the sign of the slope.**

i found that 1.58 was a minimum value so therefore it is a CP.

So if this is the minimum value.

y=(6-x²)/2x
plug inx=1.58
y=1.109
y=1.11

Hypotenuse=√2x² = 2.23

so therefore dimensions are

x=1.58 for the triangle and rectangle, y=1.11 for the rectangle,
and hypotenuse of the triangle is hyp= 2.23
 
Plutonium88 said:
Hypotenuse=√2x² = 2.23

so therefore dimensions are

x=1.58 for the triangle and rectangle, y=1.11 for the rectangle,
and hypotenuse of the triangle is hyp= 2.23

Your numbers are correct, but you keep doing that. You have written ##\sqrt 2x^2## which is the same as ##x^2\sqrt 2## which is not what you mean. If you insist on calling ##x\sqrt 2## as ##\sqrt{2x^2}## you need parentheses around the ##2x^2## or the top bar on the square root sign. It's easier to not put the ##x## under the square root sign in the first place, and in this situation it is best to write the ##x## before the ##\sqrt 2## to avoid such misunderstandings.
 
  • #10
LCKurtz said:
Your numbers are correct, but you keep doing that. You have written ##\sqrt 2x^2## which is the same as ##x^2\sqrt 2## which is not what you mean. If you insist on calling ##x\sqrt 2## as ##\sqrt{2x^2}## you need parentheses around the ##2x^2## or the top bar on the square root sign. It's easier to not put the ##x## under the square root sign in the first place, and in this situation it is best to write the ##x## before the ##\sqrt 2## to avoid such misunderstandings.

i`m really sorry about that that you for reminding me again, i need to watch that or people aren`t going to understand me :(. Thank you very much for your help i really appreciate it :D.
 

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