Question about the minimum area

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the minimum surface area of a container with a square base and a fixed volume of 1000. Participants are discussing the relationship between the dimensions of the container and its surface area.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to express the height in terms of the base area and differentiate to find critical points. There is uncertainty about the correctness of their differentiation process. Other participants question whether the minimum area refers to the total surface area and whether a cube is indeed the optimal shape for minimizing surface area.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have provided calculations and reasoning, while others are seeking clarification on the problem's parameters. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or answer yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential ambiguities in the problem statement, such as whether the top surface of the container is included in the surface area calculation. There is also a mention of the original poster's friend's recollection of the quiz question, which may lack detail.

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Homework Statement


hi guys, how are you all,,
my friend had a quiz and he told me about this question :
container has a square base and the volume of it V= 1000 , find the minimum area of the surface that the container can have ...


Homework Equations


A=x^2 , V=x^2 * h


The Attempt at a Solution


i started by saying: 1000=x^2 * h then i can get h =1000/x^2 and A=x^2 then i differentiate 0=2x*h+x^2*h` ... i get at the end (2000/x)-(2000/x)=0 and this doesn't make any sense ,,i tried another way ,, i assumed it should be a cube for the minimum area so i get 6x^2=1000 then i get (x=13) is the answer right?? ,, is the question even right ?? anyone knows how it should be at least ??
 
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By minimum area, do you mean the sum of the area of the six surfaces? Are there six, is the top included?
Often these questions are asked to minimise material for packaging to hold a certain volume which I'd say this question is about. Not sure though...
 
i really don't know ,, he didn't remember ,, although, if it was the minimum area of the surface of the container ,, it should be cube right ?? so can i apply this equation ?
(6x^2=1000) ??
 
i think i got it ,, can anyone check my answer now ,,

1000=x^2*y , y=1000/x^2 , surface area = 2x^2+4x*(1000/x^2) then differentiate i get 4x-(4000/x^2)=0 then i get x=10 and y=10 so it's cube alright :D
 

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