Question

Randy has 36 tiles.

How should he arrange them so that he has the smallest perimeter?
A.

4 by 9 rectangle
B.

3 by 12 rectangle
C.

1 by 36 rectangle
D.

6 by 6 rectangle

Answer 1

Smallest perimeter setup is (6 by 6 rectangle)

Explanation:

Given:

Total number of tile = 36

Find:

Smallest perimeter setup

Computation:

Perimeter = 2(a + b)

So,

Perimeter if (4 by 9 rectangle )

Perimeter if (4 by 9 rectangle ) = 2[4+9]

Perimeter if (4 by 9 rectangle ) = 2[13]

Perimeter if (4 by 9 rectangle ) = 26

Perimeter if (3 by 12 rectangle )

Perimeter if (3 by 12 rectangle ) = 2[3+12]

Perimeter if (3 by 12 rectangle ) = 2[15]

Perimeter if (3 by 12 rectangle ) = 30

Perimeter if (1 by 36 rectangle )

Perimeter if (1 by 36 rectangle ) = 2[1+36]

Perimeter if (1 by 36 rectangle ) = 2[37]

Perimeter if (1 by 36 rectangle ) = 74

Perimeter if (6 by 6 rectangle )

Perimeter if (6 by 6 rectangle ) = 2[6+6]

Perimeter if (6 by 6 rectangle ) = 2[12]

Perimeter if (6 by 6 rectangle ) = 24

So,

Smallest perimeter setup is (6 by 6 rectangle)