A precision-engineered storage vault for high-density alloys is in the shape of a cuboid with a rectangular base of width xxx cm and length 3x3x3x cm. The height of the vault is hhh cm.
The volume of the vault is fixed at 1350 cm31350\text{ cm}^31350 cm3.
Show that the surface area of the vault, S cm2S\text{ cm}^2S cm2, is given by
S=6x2+3600xS = 6x^2 + \frac{3600}{x}S=6x2+x3600
Find dSdx\frac{dS}{dx}dxdS.
Hence find the value of xxx for which SSS is stationary, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.
Find d2Sdx2\frac{d^2S}{dx^2}dx2d2S and hence show that the value of xxx found in part (c) gives the minimum value of SSS.
Hence find the minimum surface area of the vault, giving your answer to 1 decimal place.
Practise Edexcel A Level Maths 9.9 Using Second Derivatives with exam-style questions for A Level Maths. 57 questions, matched to the Edexcel A Level Maths (9MA0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.