2.

Local codes require that the dumpster be exactly 44 in deep and that for
rainwater runoff, the slope of the line extending from the front to the back
of the cross-section should not change (see figure). Under these
conditions, find the area of the cross-section in square feet, as a function
of x (see figure). SHOW WORK. You can check your function by letting x
= 46 inches and comparing the computed area from your function with
your work above.

3. Assuming that the length of the side connecting the trapezoidal sides is y-
inches long (in the figure above y = 75 in), Express the volume (in cubic
feet) of this dumpster as a function of x and y. SHOW WORK. Check that
your function gives the volume you computed in #1 with x = 46 in and y
= 75 in. As a further check the volume should be about 7.89 ft 3 when
x=10 inches and y = 20 inches.

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 4. The company has determined the following about the costs associated
with constructing this dumpster:

A. The sides, back and front of the dumpster are to be made of 12-gauge
steel sheets, which cost $0.85 per square foot to construct (including
sheet metal work involving any cuts or bends).
B. The bottom is made from heavier 10-gauge steel sheets, which cost
$1.05 per square cost to construct.
C. The two lids cost $50 each, regardless of dimensions, and the wheels
cost $6 each. The costs include labor to install the lids and wheels on
the dumpster.
D. It costs $0.16 per linear foot for wielding the sides, front, back, and
bottom together.
E. The metal boxes wielded to the sides that allow the dumpster to be
hoisted and emptied will be installed later, so we will ignore that cost
in our analysis.

Use this information to determine the cost, C = f (x, y) , of constructing the

dumpster as a function of x and y, which were already defined above.
Include the table below in your write-up and then give a simplified version
of your cost function below the table. Convert decimals to fractions and
thus give each cost component expression in exact terms using fractions.

Cost Component Associated cost in $ (in terms of x and y)

A. Sides, back and front

B. Bottom

C. Lids and wheels

D. Wielding

C= f (x,y)= ________________________________________________(Fill in)

5. Compute the cost of constructing the dumpster in Problem #1 (SHOW
WORK). Then use your cost function with x = 46 in and y = 75 inches and
verify that the costs are the same. The cost in both cases should be about
$226. Check your work so far if your computed cost is not. As a further
check, the cost should be about $144.66 when x = 10 in and y = 20 in.

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 6. The Starving Students Dumpster Company would like to construct a
dumpster of minimum cost but that also has the same volume of the
dumpster they are currently using in Problem #1. Your job is to find the
dimensions of this dumpster. Mathematically, your task comes down to
minimizing your cost function subject to the constraint that the volume of
any similarly constructed dumpster will be equal to the volume of the
dumpster in Problem #1.

(A) Use the volume constraint to find the relationship between x and y.
Solve for y in terms of x and SHOW WORK.

Remark
We are now ready to find the minimum cost of constructing the dumpster
subject to the volume constraint. We will do this two ways: (1) using methods
from Math 1A and (2) using Lagrange multipliers.

7. Express the cost as a function of x, i.e., C = g(x) , by making a

substitution into your cost function using the relationship between x and y
you determined in Problem #6. Simplify your function for the next part.
Use fractions in your cost function--not decimal approximations. Check
your cost function and verify that g(46) gives the cost of building the
dumpster in Problem #1.

–8–