What Is the Minimum Surface Area for a Cuboid Box with a Square Base?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the minimum surface area for a cuboid box with a square base, given a fixed volume and varying production costs for different surfaces. Participants explore mathematical formulations and interpretations of the cost structure in relation to surface area.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the volume constraint and derives a formula for surface area, incorporating the differing production costs for the top/bottom and lateral sides.
  • Another participant reformulates the surface area equation and expresses the production cost in terms of a constant, leading to a critical point for optimization.
  • Questions arise regarding the application of the cost factor to the surface area terms, specifically why the cost is applied differently to the top/bottom versus the lateral sides.
  • Repeated inquiries about the cost application indicate a potential misunderstanding or need for clarification on how to account for the production costs in the surface area calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the correct interpretation of the production cost structure and its application to the surface area calculations. There is no consensus on how to properly incorporate the cost factors into the equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the mathematical steps regarding the application of the cost factor to the surface area terms, leading to confusion in the calculations. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the problem constraints.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in optimization problems, cost analysis in geometry, or those studying mathematical modeling in production scenarios may find this discussion relevant.

Monoxdifly
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The volume of a cuboid box with a square base is 2 litres. The production cost per unit of its top and its bottom is twice the production cost per unit of its lateral sides. Suppose the side length of its base is x and the height of the cuboid is h. The minimum production cost is reached when the surface area is ...
A. 4 square dm
B. 6 square dm
C. 8 square dm
D. 10 square dm
E. 12 square dm

What I've done:
$$x^2t=2→t=\frac{2}{x^2}$$
The production cost per unit of its top and its bottom is twice the production cost per unit of its lateral sides. I tried to put that into account regarding the surface area f(x), and thus:
$$f(x)=2x^2+4(2x)t=2x^2+8x(\frac{2}{x^2})=2x^2+\frac{16}{x}$$
To determine the value of x so that the surface area will be minimum:
f'(x) = 0
$$4x-\frac{16}{x^2}=0$$
$$4x=\frac{16}{x^2}$$
$$4x^3=16$$
$$x^3=4$$
$$x=\sqrt[3]{4}$$
Minimum surface area =$$2(\sqrt[3]{4})^2+\frac{16}{\sqrt[3]{4}}=2\sqrt[3]{16}+\frac{4^2}{4^{\frac13}}=2\sqrt[3]{16}+4^{\frac53}$$

I'm stuck. Pretty sure I misinterpreted the whole "The production cost per unit of its top and its bottom is twice the production cost per unit of its lateral sides." thing. What was I supposed to do?
 
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surface area, $A = 2x^2 + 4xh$

$h = \dfrac{2}{x^2} \implies A = 2x^2 + \dfrac{8}{x}$

cost of the top and bottom is twice that of the lateral sides ...

$C = k \left(4x^2 + \dfrac{8}{x} \right)$, where $k$ is a production cost constant

$C’ = k \left(8x - \dfrac{8}{x^2} \right) = 0 \implies x = 1$
 
Why is the 2 only multiplied by $$2x^2$$ and not with $$\frac8x$$?
 
Monoxdifly said:
Why is the 2 only multiplied by $$2x^2$$ and not with $$\frac8x$$?

top & bottom, surface area = $2x^2$, costs twice as much to produce than the lateral sides, surface area = $4xh = 4x \cdot \dfrac{2}{x^2} = \dfrac{8}{x}$
 
Ah. Right. That makes sense. Thank you.
 

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