Please help me solve this problem:
A rectangular box with a square base and open top is to be made from 1200 cm^2 of material.
Find the dimensions of the largest box that can be made

Question

Please help me solve this problem:
A rectangular box with a square base and open top is to be made from 1200 cm^2 of material.
Find the dimensions of the largest box that can be made

directrix · Answer

Find the dimensions of the largest box that can be made--> Does this mean the box with the largest volume?

anonymous · Answer

Yes

directrix · Answer

Here's a picture of what we are making.

directrix · Answer

We have the square base and the the four lateral faces. No top. Agree?

anonymous · Answer

Yes that's right

directrix · Answer

The area of the square base (look at diagram) is what?

directrix · Answer

What is the area of each of the four lateral faces (using the variables on the diagram)?

anonymous · Answer

(x+x)x(y+y)

directrix · Answer

@mkrugel Sorry that my internet service cut off last night. The link below is in reply to the question you asked. Hope it helps. It is interesting that for a fixed surface area, a cube is the rectangular solid which appears to maximize volume. http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/5019c774e4b02742c0b16db0