Problem Corner | Solution 271 | by Benjamin Bloch, Ph.D.

1. After the squares of side x are removed, the new dimensions of the unfolded vinyl are (a - 2x) and (b - 2x). Then the sides are folded up so that the dimensions of the vinyl pool shell become (a - 2x) by (b - 2x) by x. The volume of water when the pool is led to capacity is V = (a - 2x)(b - 2x)x = 4x3 -2(a + b)x2 + abx. To nd the rate of change of the volume with x, use Down Decrease by One, then dV/dx = 12x2 - 4x(a + b)x + ab = 0. Dividing both sides by 12, we get x2 - (a + b)x/3 +ab/12 = 0 This is a quadratic equation of the form Ax2 + Bx + C = 0, where here A = 1, B = -(a + b)/3 and C = ab/12. The general quadratic solution is x = [-B (B2 - 4AC)]/2A. Substituting our values for a, b and c yields: x = [(a + b)/3 [(a + b)2/9 - ab/3]]/2 which can be simplied to: x = [(a + b) (a2 + b2 - ab)] the relationship between the side of one of the four cut outs to the dimensions, a and b, of the original vinyl sheet. Note: The actual values of a and b determine which sign to use. 2. If a = 5 and b = 7 then substituting into the equation for x becomes: x = [12 (25 + 49 - 35)] = [12 (39)] Thus x 0.96; 3.04. The larger value of x produces a negative volume as seen in the next question. 3. The maximum volume V(x 0.96) Vmax 4(0.96)3 - 24(0.96)2 + 35(0.96) 15 [If we use the second value of x, 3.04, the volume becomes negative ( -3)] 4. The area of the pool bottom is given by (a - 2x)(b - 2x) 15.6 The combined areas of the pool sides is given by 2x(a - 2x) + 2x(b - 2x) 15.7 The combined area of the four cut offs is simply 4x2 3.9 The total area is the sum of the above 15.6 + 15.7 + 3.9 35.2 5. This is not exactly the same as ab = 35 because of round offs in the calculations. 6. V is on the (ordinate) vertical axis and x on the (abscissa) horizontal axis. V = 4x3 - 24x2 + 35x