Please help, I need to know how to solve a problem like this for an exam tomorrow: Find the dimensions of the rectangle with the largest area that can be inscribed under the curve y=cos(x). (Click to see parameters and drawing)

Question

Please help, I need to know how to solve a problem like this for an exam tomorrow:  Find the dimensions of the rectangle with the largest area that can be inscribed under the curve y=cos(x).  (Click to see parameters and drawing)

babyslapmafro · Answer

$$0 \le x \le \frac{ \pi }{ 2 }$$

babyslapmafro · Answer

|dw:1352345927265:dw|

anonymous · Answer

Is this for calculus (derivatives) or something else?

babyslapmafro · Answer

Sorry, I should have made that clear.  We are covering absolute and relative max/min.

anonymous · Answer

So this is Alg. II?

babyslapmafro · Answer

Calc 1

anonymous · Answer

Ok, so assuming that you can take a derivative, you can create a function describing the area of the rectangle formed, and then take the derivative, set that function to zero and find the relative max. that way. 

Note that given a function with a relative max/min, that max/min can be found by taking the derivative of that function and setting that derivative to zero and solving.

babyslapmafro · Answer

Ok, how to I create a function that describes the area of the rectangle?

anonymous · Answer

What is the height of the rectangle as a function of what they give you (the angle or the cosine of the angle) and then what is the width of the rectangle as a function of what they give you (the angle or the cosine of the angle?)