Maximizing

the Farmers Area

Learning Target
I can create a model to find the dimensions that will maximize the area of a rectangular region
given an arbitrary value for its perimeter.

Standards for Mathematical Content
N-Q.2: Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling.
F-BF.1: Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities

Standards for Mathematical Practice
MP4: Model with Mathematics
MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically

Summary of Task
The opening exercise is a typical problem where, given a specific value for perimeter, students
determine:

i.
an expression for the length of the rectangular region
ii.
an expression for the area of the region in terms of x
iii.
the dimensions that would maximize the area of the region

During the work period task, students create a model that will generalize the results of the
opening exercise for any given perimeter. Using the Desmos dynamic graphing calculator,
students will:

A. Graph a line that models the constraints on the dimensions of the rectangular region.
B. Use piecewise functions to create the rectangular region with a vertex on the line
graphed in Part A.
C. Calculate the dimensions that will maximize the area of the region.
D. As an extension of the mathematical modeling cycle, students consider how they might
revise the model to determine the dimensions of a rectangle that will minimize the
amount of fencing for a fixed area?

Name _________________________








Opening Exercise

A farmer wants to make a rectangular enclosure using a wall as one side and 190 m of fencing
along the other three sides.











Wall

i.
Express the area in terms of x.





ii.
Find the value of x that gives the greatest area.

x

iii.
What is the greatest area possible?

Maximizing the Area of Any Rectangular Region

Task: A farmer wants to make a rectangular enclosure using a wall as one side and meters
of fencing along the other three sides. Create a model that can be used to determine the
dimensions that would result in the greatest possible area for the enclosure in terms of .


(Possible Solution)

Any of the following steps can be used to scaffold or differentiate the task as necessary.

A. Let one of the vertices of the rectangle be on the origin. The base of the rectangle is , and
the height is (). Write an equation for the function () that determines the coordinates of
the vertex that is not on the axes. State its domain and range.

(!!!)
!

{ > 0,

!!!
!

> 0}

B. Using the Desmos dynamic graphing calculator, graph your function inserting a slider for .
Then use piecewise functions to draw a rectangle with a vertex on ().

C. Calculate the area of the rectangle and move the point (, ) along () to determine
the dimensions of the rectangle that will maximize the area of the rectangular region.

Click here for an interactive sample solution.

Extension: How might you revise the model to determine the dimensions of a rectangle that
will minimize the amount of fencing for a fixed area?