MATH JOURNAL 19.2.2007

Minimizing the Cost of a Container

A trash company is designing an open-top, rectangular container that will have a volume of 320 m^3. The cost of making the bottom of the container is $5 per square m, and the cost of the sides is $4 per square m. Find the dimensions of the container that will minimize the total cost.

discuss...

and answer ;*
Comments
10
use the metric system ffs!
oki, but it shouldnt matter =(
Parent
I know how...I am actually writing it down.
use a program called lindo
make a code:
"min 5x+4y
subject to
x*y=320
end"
Lets say that ur container has the dimmensions x y and z.
V=xyz=V0 => xyz-V0 = 0
S=xy+2xz+2yz=f(x,y,z)

f must be minimum. This is a classsical equation with "connections". Use the Lagrange method to solve it. IF u dont know how ill try to solve it for u.

PS: Or u can take z from the first equation and put in the second one and use the simple derivation way.
i got 960$ ;> make any sense my sir of sirs?

equotion was 5xy+8xz+8yz

x=8 y=8 z=5 ;s
Parent
Oh ye.... the cost is minimum not the surface :D
f(x,y,z) = 5xy+8xz+8yz
f(x, y) = 5xy + 8V0(1/x+1/y) (i took z from the first and put it in f).
df/dx = 5y-8V0(1/x^2) = 0
df/dy = 5x-8V0(1/y^2) = 0
so..
5xy^2 = 5yx^2 = 8V0 => x = y = (V0*8/5)^1/3 ( i think).
z = V0/xy.

Problem solved i think.
Parent
HAHAHAHAA NERDS
HAHAHAHAHAA DUTCH
Parent
HAHAHAHAHA

:(
Parent
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