Chapter 4: Problem 68
A box with a square base and open top is to be made from sheet metal so that its volume is \(500 \mathrm{in}^{3}\). Let \(S\) be the area of the surface of the box and \(x\) the length of a side of the square base. Show that \(S=x^{2}+2000 / x\) for \(x>0\), and sketch the graph of \(S\) versus \(x\) for \(x>0\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Problem
Set up the Volume Equation
Solve for Height in Terms of \( x \)
Derive the Surface Area Equation
Confirm the Derived Expression
Sketch the Graph of \( S \) Versus \( x \)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Surface Area of a Box
- Our box has a base area of \(x^2\) because both sides of the square base are of equal length \(x\).
- Each of the four side panels has an area of \(xh\), where \(h\) is the height of the box.
- When \(x\) is small, the term \(\frac{2000}{x}\) makes a significant contribution.
- When \(x\) is large, \(x^2\) dominates the surface area value.
Volume Constraint
Given a box with volume \(V = x^2h\) and knowing \(V = 500\), we can visualize the relationship between the base length \(x\) and height \(h\).
- From, \(x^2h = 500\), we rearrange to find \(h = \frac{500}{x^2}\).
- This tells us as \(x\) increases, \(h\) correspondingly decreases to maintain the volume constant.
Graph Sketching
- When \(x\) is small, \(\frac{2000}{x}\) is dominant, thus \(S\) is very high.
- As \(x\) grows, \(x^2\) starts to take over, causing \(S\) first to drop.
- Eventually, as \(x\) continues to increase, \(S\) rises again due to \(x^2\) getting larger.