15. A farmer wishes to enclose a rectangular region. He has 500 feet of fencing and plans to use his barn as one side of the enclosure. Let x represent the length of one of parallel sides of the fencing. a) Express the length of the remaining side in terms of x. b) Determine a function A that represents the area of the region in terms of x. 500x c) What is the value of x that will give a maximum area and what will this area be?

Algebra and Trigonometry (6th Edition)
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ISBN:9780134463216
Author:Robert F. Blitzer
Publisher:Robert F. Blitzer
ChapterP: Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts Of Algebra
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1MCCP: In Exercises 1-25, simplify the given expression or perform the indicated operation (and simplify,...
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**Problem 15: Optimal Fencing for a Rectangular Enclosure**

A farmer wishes to enclose a rectangular region using 500 feet of fencing. One side of this region will be alongside a barn, which does not require any fencing. Let \( x \) represent the length of one of the parallel sides perpendicular to the barn.

**Tasks:**

a) **Express the length of the remaining side in terms of \( x \).**

b) **Determine a function \( A \) that represents the area of the region in terms of \( x \).**

c) **Calculate the value of \( x \) that maximizes the area, and find the maximum area.**

**Diagram:**

- The illustration accompanying the problem shows a rectangular area with the barn wall labeled as one side.
- The two sides perpendicular to the barn are labeled \( x \).
- The side opposite the barn, which needs fencing, is labeled. Since the total amount of fencing used is 500 feet and two sides are \( x \), the expression for the remaining side’s length can be deduced.

**Solution Outline:**

- **a)** The length of the opposite side to the barn can be expressed as \( 500 - 2x \).
- **b)** The area \( A \) is given by the formula for the area of a rectangle: \( A = x \times (500 - 2x) \).
- **c)** To find the maximum area, derive the area function \( A(x) \), set the derivative to zero, and solve for \( x \). Calculate the maximum area using this optimal \( x \).
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem 15: Optimal Fencing for a Rectangular Enclosure** A farmer wishes to enclose a rectangular region using 500 feet of fencing. One side of this region will be alongside a barn, which does not require any fencing. Let \( x \) represent the length of one of the parallel sides perpendicular to the barn. **Tasks:** a) **Express the length of the remaining side in terms of \( x \).** b) **Determine a function \( A \) that represents the area of the region in terms of \( x \).** c) **Calculate the value of \( x \) that maximizes the area, and find the maximum area.** **Diagram:** - The illustration accompanying the problem shows a rectangular area with the barn wall labeled as one side. - The two sides perpendicular to the barn are labeled \( x \). - The side opposite the barn, which needs fencing, is labeled. Since the total amount of fencing used is 500 feet and two sides are \( x \), the expression for the remaining side’s length can be deduced. **Solution Outline:** - **a)** The length of the opposite side to the barn can be expressed as \( 500 - 2x \). - **b)** The area \( A \) is given by the formula for the area of a rectangle: \( A = x \times (500 - 2x) \). - **c)** To find the maximum area, derive the area function \( A(x) \), set the derivative to zero, and solve for \( x \). Calculate the maximum area using this optimal \( x \).
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