MHB Solve Box Cost Minimization w/ Lagrange Multipliers

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on using the Lagrange multiplier method to minimize the total cost of manufacturing an open-top box with a volume of 6 ft³. The cost function is defined as C(x,y,z) = 3xz + yz + 2xy, with constraints based on the box's volume. Through the application of Lagrange multipliers, the dimensions that minimize cost are found to be x = 1 ft, y = 3 ft, and z = 2 ft. The minimum cost calculated for these dimensions is $18. The solution demonstrates the effectiveness of the Lagrange multiplier method in optimizing manufacturing costs.
MarkFL
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
13,284
Reaction score
12
Here is the question:

Please help!? lagrange multiplier method?


Find the dimensions of the box which will minimize the TOTAL COST of manufacturing the following open top box of volume 6ft^3?

Solve by the lagrange multiplier method!
Bottom panel costs $3/ft^2
side panel cost $.50/ft^2
Front and back panels cost $1/ft^2

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can view my work.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Hello acacia,

I would orient the box such that the width is $x$, the height is $y$ and the length is $z$. Hence, the bottom panel has area $xz$, the side panels have a total area of $2yz$ and the front and back panels have a combined area of $2xy$.

Let all linear measures be given in feet.

Thus, our objective function, the function we wish to minimize is the cost function in dollars, which is given by:

$$C(x,y,z)=3xz+yz+2xy$$

Subject to the constraint on the volume:

$$g(x,y,z)=xyz-6=0$$

Using Lagrange multipliers, we obtain:

$$3z+2y=\lambda(yz)$$

$$z+2x=\lambda(xz)$$

$$3x+y=\lambda(xy)$$

Solving for $\lambda$, the first two equations imply:

$$\frac{2y+3z}{yz}=\frac{2x+z}{xz}$$

Cross-multiplying, we obtain:

$$2xyz+3xz^2=2xyz+yz^2$$

$$3xz^2=yz^2$$

Since the constraint requires $$0<z$$, we may write:

$$3x=y$$

In like manner the first and third equations above imply:

$$\frac{2y+3z}{yz}=\frac{3x+y}{xy}$$

Cross-multiplying, we obtain:

$$2xy^2+3xyz=3xyz+y^2z$$

$$2x=z$$

Substituting for $y$ and $z$ into the constraint, we obtain:

$$x(3x)(2x)=6$$

$$x^3=1$$

$$x=1\implies y=3,\,z=2$$

Observing that:

$$C(1,3,2)=3(1)(2)+(3)(2)+2(1)(3)=18$$

and another constraint value such as $(x,y,z)=(1,2,3)$ yields:

$$C(1,2,3)=3(1)(3)+(2)(3)+2(1)(2)=19$$

We may then conclude:

$$C_{\min}=C(1,3,2)=18$$
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K