A rectanglar plot of land is to be fenced in using two kinds of fencing. Two opposite sides will use heavy-duty fencing selling for $6 a foo, while the remaining two sides will use the standard fencing selling at $4 a foot. What are the dimensions of the rectanglar plot of greatest area that can be fenced at a cost of $12000?

Question

Mathematics

Bentley Greene

11 September, 06:48

A rectanglar plot of land is to be fenced in using two kinds of fencing. Two opposite sides will use heavy-duty fencing selling for $6 a foo, while the remaining two sides will use the standard fencing selling at $4 a foot. What are the dimensions of the rectanglar plot of greatest area that can be fenced at a cost of $12000?

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Answers (2)

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Kolby Stafford · Answer 1

250 x 1125ft

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x and y be the sides of the rectangle.

Then, set-up the equation for the total cost of the fence.

To do so, given that $6 per foot fencing for the two sides "x". And, $4 per foot fencing for the two sides "y".

So the equation is

12000 = 6 (2x) + 4 (2y)

12000 = 12x + 8y

To simply, divide both sides by its GCF which is 2

12000/2 = (12x + 8y) / 2

6000 = 6x + 4y

Then solve for y

6000-6x = 4y

=> (6000-6x) / 4 = y

=> 1500 - (6/4) x = y

Since we have to maximize the area of the rectangle, set up the equation of the area.

Area = xy

Note that y = 1500 - (6/4) x

Therefore, A = x (1500 - 6/4x)

A=1500x - 6/4x^2

Then, take the derivative of A.

A' = 1500 - 6x

Set A' equal to zero and solve for x.

0 = 1500-6x

6x = 1500

x = 250

Substitute the value of x to y = 1500 - 6/4x.

y = 1500 - 6/4 * 250 = 1500 - 375 = 1125

Hence, the dimensions of the rectangular plot that would maximize its area, given the total cost of fencing, is 250 x 1125 ft.

Damien Snyder · Answer 2

Dimensions of the rectangular plot are 500 x 750 ft

Step-by-step explanation:

First we need to set-up the equation for the total cost of the fence. So, let's use a $6 per foot fencing for the two sides "x". And, $4 per foot fencing for the two sides "y".

So the equation is:

12000 = 6 (2x) + 4 (2y)

12000 = 12x + 8y

To simplify, divide both sides by its GCF which is 4

3000 = 3x + 2y

Solving for y.

3000 - 3x = 2y

y = 1500 - 3/2x

To maximize the area of the rectangle, set-up the equation of area.

A = xy

Substitute value of y,

A = x (1500-3/2x)

A = 1500x - 3/2x^2

Take derivative of A

A' = 1500 - 3x

Set A' equal to zero and solve for x.

0 = 1500 - 3x

3x = 1500

x = 500

Substitute the value of x = 500 to y = 1500 - 3/2x

y = 1500 - 3/2 (500)

y = 1500 - 750

y = 750

Hence, the dimensions of the rectangular plot that would maximize its area, given the total cost of fencing 12000, is 500 x 750 ft.