1.4 Optimisation - Parabola and Rectangle
Applet explorations
1) Play around with the applet to get a feel for the problem geometrically. What is the largest possible area for the rectangle? For what approximate values does this occur?
2) Can you set up your problem algebraically to verify your findings?
3) What has calculus got to do with all of this? Where might these methods be extended into real-world problems?
Summarise any key points at the bottom of the page.
Applet conclusions
Note any key points from this activity. How can this applet be used to develop our understanding of calculus?