AP Calculus AB: 7.3.3 The Box Problem
This set of flashcards covers optimization problems involving constructing an open box from a rectangular sheet by cutting squares from each corner. It explains how to formulate the volume function in one variable, find critical points by differentiation, and interpret results to maximize volume, illustrated with practical examples involving material waste and box dimensions.
The Box Problem
The box problem involves maximizing the volume of an open box constructed from a given rectangular sheet of material.
Key Terms
The Box Problem
The box problem involves maximizing the volume of an open box constructed from a given rectangular sheet of material.
note
In the box problem, you are asked to maximize the volume of a box constructed from a rectangular sheet.
You know the dimensi...
A man is constructing a box out of a 20 × 16 sheet of metal. He opts to cut a 3 × 3 square off of each corner of the sheet and then fold the sides upwards. What is the area of the wasted material? Dimensions are in inches.
36 square inches
A particular company manufactures cardboard boxes of many different volumes. They always start with a flat sheet of cardboard. By cutting an equal sized square from each corner and folding the sides upwards, they make a box. If the cardboard sheet is 18 × 16 inches and you cut a 2 × 2 square from each corner, what would be the volume of the resulting box?
336 cubic inches
What is the greatest amount of sand you could put in a sandbox made from a 4 foot by 6 foot piece of plywood? Remember, the sandbox will be made by cutting equal sized squares from the corners and then “folding” the sides upwards.
8.45 cubic feet
What is the maximum volume of an enclosed rectangular box with surface area equal to 54 sq. ft and a height of 3 ft?
V = 27 cubic feet
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
The Box Problem | The box problem involves maximizing the volume of an open box constructed from a given rectangular sheet of material. |
note |
|
A man is constructing a box out of a 20 × 16 sheet of metal. He opts to cut a 3 × 3 square off of each corner of the sheet and then fold the sides upwards. What is the area of the wasted material? Dimensions are in inches. | 36 square inches |
A particular company manufactures cardboard boxes of many different volumes. They always start with a flat sheet of cardboard. By cutting an equal sized square from each corner and folding the sides upwards, they make a box. If the cardboard sheet is 18 × 16 inches and you cut a 2 × 2 square from each corner, what would be the volume of the resulting box? | 336 cubic inches |
What is the greatest amount of sand you could put in a sandbox made from a 4 foot by 6 foot piece of plywood? Remember, the sandbox will be made by cutting equal sized squares from the corners and then “folding” the sides upwards. | 8.45 cubic feet |
What is the maximum volume of an enclosed rectangular box with surface area equal to 54 sq. ft and a height of 3 ft? | V = 27 cubic feet |
A man is constructing an open-faced box from a rectangular sheet of metal. To do so, he cuts 4 equal sized squares from the corners of the sheet and then folds the remaining metal upwards to create the sides of a box. What is the maximum possible volume that he could hold with an 18 × 14 inch sheet of metal? | 292.86 cubic inches |
Little Louie is making a diorama for his 2nd grade teacher and you are going to help him. Unfortunately, you have no shoeboxes. In fact, the only material you have for the box itself is a pizza box left over from last week’s midnight munchie run. After cutting away the parts of the box that are too greasy to use, you are left with a sheet of cardboard with dimensions 14 × 8 in inches. How big must the squares you cut out of the sheet of cardboard be in order to maximize Little Louie’s diorama? | 1.639 by 1.639 inches |