Step by step
The question
Question: A rectangle has an area of 36 m².
Find the smallest perimeter.
1 Draw and name
Call the sides x and y.
2 Write the perimeter
The perimeter is two x sides and two y sides.
3 Use only one letter
Two letters.
The area gives the link: x times y is 36.
So y = 36 over x.
Put it in place of y.
Now we have P = 2x + 72 over x.
4 Which x make sense
A length is positive: x is more than 0.
5 Slope = 0
The smallest value is where the slope is 0.
2x gives 2.
72/x is 72x to the power −1, which gives −72/x².
Set it to 0, and move the fraction across.
Times both sides by x², so they stay equal.
Divide by 2.
x squared is 36, so x is 6.
Minus 6 squared is also 36, but x must be positive.
Careful!
A length cannot be negative.
Only x = 6 is allowed.
6 Make sure it is the smallest
Before 6, the slope is negative: going down.
After it, positive: going up.
Down, then up: the bottom.
A minimum.
7 Answer the question
The other side: 36/6 is 6.
So the smallest perimeter is 24 m.
The rectangle is a square!
8 Check
Let's check with x a bit smaller: 5 gives 24.4.
And x = 7 gives 24.29.
Both are bigger than 24.
Right!
Let's look back.
First: draw and name.
Then: write the perimeter.
Then: use only one letter.
Then: which x make sense.
Then: slope = 0.
Then: make sure it is the smallest.
Then: answer the question.
Last: check.