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Tanya has 16 yards of fencing to enclose a rectangular garden. Consider the possible dimensions of the rectangular garden with a perimeter of 16 yards. Determine, in square yards, the largest area that can be contained by this amount of fence.

1 Answer

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Answer:

The largest area can be contained by this amount of fence is 16 square yards

Explanation:

  • The formula of the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2l + 2w, where l is its length and w is its width
  • The formula of the area of a rectangle is A = l × w

Assume that the length of the rectangular garden is x yards and its width is y yards

∵ The length of the fence is 16 yards

∴ The perimeter of the garden is 16 yards

∵ P = 2l + 2w

∵ The length of the garden is x yards

∵ The width of the garden is y yards

∴ P = 2x + 2y

- Equate the formula of P by 16

2x + 2y = 16

- Divide both sides by 2 to simplify the equation

∴ x + y = 8

- Find y in terms of x

- Subtract x from both sides

y = 8 - x ⇒ (1)

∵ A = l × w

∴ A = x × y

- Substitute y by equation (1)

∴ A = x(8 - x)

- Simplify the right hand side

A = 8x - x²

To find the largest are differentiate A with respect to x and equate the differentiation by 0 to find the value of x which gives the maximum dimensions to get the largest area

∵ A' = 8 - 2x

∵ A' = 0

∴ 0 = 8 - 2x

- Add 2x to both sides

∴ 2x = 8

- Divide both sides by 2

x = 4

Substitute the value of x in equation of the area

∵ A = 8x - x²

∴ A = 8(4) - (4)²

∴ A = 32 - 16

∴ A = 16 yards²

The largest area can be contained by this amount of fence is 16 square yards

User John Rix
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