Cost Minimization - Optimization

calcstruggles2013

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An open box is to be constructed so that the length of the base is 5 times larger than the width of the base. If the cost to construct the base is 3 dollars per square foot and the cost to construct the four sides is 3 dollars per square foot, determine the dimensions for a box to have volume = 84 cubic feet which would minimize the cost of construction.

L= 5W, so vol= 5W*W*H, or 84=5w^2*H
so H= 84/(5w^2)

area of base = LW or 5W^2
cost of base = 3*area = 15w^2

area of sides=3*(LH+WH) = 2*H(5w+w) = 30HW
cost of sides= area*3 =90HW

90w*(84/5w^2)
cost of sides = 1512/w

total cost= 15w^2 + 1512/w
deriv of cost= 30w-1512/w^2= 0
w=(1512/30)^1/3

and from that i solved for the other variables, l= 5*the third root of (1512/30), etc...
when i plugged them back into the formula i got
83.7525955832,
which although is close to 84, the variables are still incorrect according to the lon capa website.


 
An open box is to be constructed so that the length of the base is 5 times larger than the width of the base. If the cost to construct the base is 3 dollars per square foot and the cost to construct the four sides is 3 dollars per square foot, determine the dimensions for a box to have volume = 84 cubic feet which would minimize the cost of construction.

L= 5W, so vol= 5W*W*H, or 84=5w^2*H
so H= 84/(5w^2)

area of base = LW or 5W^2
cost of base = 3*area = 15w^2

area of sides=3*(LH+WH) =
3*H(5w+w) = 30HW → Is this correct? It should be 18Hw
cost of sides= area*3 =90HW

90w*(84/5w^2)
cost of sides = 1512/w

total cost= 15w^2 + 1512/w
deriv of cost= 30w-1512/w^2= 0
w=(1512/30)^1/3

and from that i solved for the other variables, l= 5*the third root of (1512/30), etc...
when i plugged them back into the formula i got
83.7525955832,
which although is close to 84, the variables are still incorrect according to the lon capa website.


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