Calculus question?

[mrs]

The following table represents the diameter of the cross section of a wire at continuous heights (feet) above the ground. Assume that each cross section is circular.

Height(ft) 2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30
Diameter 2 2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.2 (feet)

(those should all line up)

C) the section of the tree from 2 ft to 8 ft is used to make a rectangular beam of length 6 ft. The strength of the beam varies jointly as its width and the square of its height. What should be the width and height of the beam in order to have the strongest beam?

How do i start C?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

The following table represents the diameter of the cross section of a wire at continuous heights (feet) above the ground. Assume that each cross section is circular.

[COLOR=#323d4f][FONT=Lucida Grande]Height(ft)   2   6   10   14   18   22   26   30[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#323d4f][FONT=Lucida Grande]Diameter   2   2   2.0  1.8  1.6  1.5  1.3  1.2 (feet)[/FONT][/COLOR]

(those should all line up)

C) the section of the tree from 2 ft to 8 ft is used to make a rectangular beam of length 6 ft. The strength of the beam varies jointly as its width and the square of its height. What should be the width and height of the beam in order to have the strongest beam?

How do i start C?

Are you supposed get a best-fit-function [dia. = f(height)] from the given data?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I don't think that table is part of problem (c). It's talking about wire sizes.

I thought - there was a problem of translation. I took "wire" diameter to be "cross-section" in the context of rest of the problem. Then may be I am wrong - won't be the first time!!