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Gilbert Strang, Calculus, 3rd edition (Wellesley-Cambridge Press; MIT OpenCourseWare RES.18-001) §3.2 Maximum and Minimum Problems, #29 · Calculus · Optimization

(c) The best Y becomes a V when … ____

Find the shortest Y connecting $P, Q,$ and $B$ in the figure. Originally $B$ was a birdfeeder. The length of Y is $L (x) = (b - x) + 2 a^{2} + x^{2}$ .

(a) Choose $x$ to minimize $L$ (not allowing $x > b$ ).

(b) Show that the center of the Y has $12 0^{\circ}$ angles.

(c) The best Y becomes a V when $a / b =$ ____.

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Gilbert Strang, Calculus, 3rd edition (Wellesley-Cambridge Press; MIT OpenCourseWare RES.18-001) · §3.2 Maximum and Minimum Problems, #29

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