A rectangular piece of cardboard, 8 inches by 14 inches, is used to make an open top box by cutting out a small square from each corner and bending up the sides. What size square should be cut from each corner for the box to have the maximum volume?

Respuesta :

Answer:

x = 1.64 in   the size of the side of the square

Step-by-step explanation:

Let call x side of the square to be cut from cornes, then:

First side of rectangular base

L = 14 - 2*x

And the other side

d = 8 -2*x

Then Volume of the box

V(b) = L*d*x

V(x) =  ( 14- 2*x ) * ( 8 -2*x)*x

V(x) = ( 112 -  28*x  -16*x + 4*x² )*x    ⇒  4*x³ - 44*x² + 112*x

Taking derivatives on both sides of the equation we get:

V´(x) = 12*x² - 88*x +112

V´(x) = 0       ⇒     12*x² - 88*x +112 = 0

A second degree equation, solvin it

3x² - 22*x +  28 = 0

x₁,₂ = [ 22 ± √484 - 336   ] / 6

x₁   =  (22 + 12,17) /6         x₂  =  ( 22 - 12.17 ) / 6

x₁   =  5.69     We dismiss this solution since it make side 8 - 2x  a negative length

 x₂  =  9.83/6      

x₂  =  1.64

Then x = x₂  = 1.64 in

Answer:

1.64 in

Step-by-step explanation: