Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

Introduction

In this world, there are many practical scenarios where we need to find the maximum or
minimum value of a function. This solution is often referred to as the optimum solution, and the
process is called optimisation.

A cake tin manufacturer will be making cake tins ranging in size from “tiny” to “gigantic”. Some
tins will be square based, others will be rectangular based. In all cases the manufacturer wants
to maximise the volume of each cake tin.

Aim

The aim of this task is to investigate the size of a square cut into a piece of tinplate to form an
open top cake tin which optimises the volume using various mathematical calculations involving
differential calculus, quadratic formula, and developed a conjecture that will be approved with an
accurate result.

Method

In this task there are two parts of investigation.

Part A is mainly focuses on determining the size of the squared that based on the cake tin, while
in Part B, this part is focusing on the rectangular tins.

Part A: Investigating a square tinplate

An open top cake tin is to be made by cutting a square from each corner of a square piece of
tinplate with side lengths l cm. Once the cut is made the sides are folded to form an open top
cake tin. Let x cm be the side length of the square cuts to be made.

l cm

x cm

l cm

Part A is split into three other sections numbered.

L=5−2 x H=x W =L=5−2 x

The limitation of this part is L>0 cm since L∧x arelengths ; x< 2.5 cmif L=5−2 x cm

∴ 0<x< 2.5∧L=5−2 x

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

This can be proved using algebra:

5−2 x >0

2 x <5

5
x<
2

The first section is needing to prove that the volume if the cake tin can be expressed as
2 3
V ( x ) =25 x −20 x + 4 x cm3 if the length is 5 cm both sides.

The volume of a square based tin can be found by multiplying the area of the base by the height
of the tin. V = (l x w) (h)

The volume of the cake tin provided with 5 cm length so,

V ( x ) =lwh ¿ ( l−2 x )( l−2 x )( x )

¿ ( 5−2 x )( 5−2 x ) ( x )
2 2 3
¿ 25 x−10 x −10 x +4 x
2 3
¿ 25 x−20 x + 4 x

3x
(¿¿ 2)
'
V ( x )=25 (1)−20(2 x)+4 ¿
¿ 25−40 x+12 x 2

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
The derivative of V’(x) can be substitute into the quadratic formula x= to find
2a
the exact value of x which will maximise the volume of cake tin.

V ' (x)=25−40 x+12 x 2 where a = 12, b = - 40 c = 25

40 ± √ (−40)2−4 (12)(25) 40 ± √1600−1200

x= ¿
2(12) 24

40 ± √400
¿
24

The second section is to investigate by determining the exact value of x for at least three
other values of l cm , the side lengths of the original square tinplate.

40 ± √ 400 40+20
x= x=
24 24

40 ± 20 60 5
x= x= =
24 24 2

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

OR 20 5
x= =
24 6
40−20 20
x= =
24 24

The last section of this part is find the exact value of x, which will maximise the volume of the
cake tin can be found.

When x=0.83 ,

V (x)=25(0.83)−20 (0.83)2+ 4 (0.83)3

¿ 20.75−13.78+2.29

¿ 9.26 cm3

Substitute x=0.83 to the equation W =L=5−2 x

W =L=5−2 x

¿ L=5−2(0.83)

¿ 3.34 cm

∴ the volume of the cake tin is maximised for L=5 cm when x=0.83 cm

The table below apply the same way of investigations into three other values of L. This table
compares all the values of x that has been discovered from the value of L by using calculus and
the quadratic formula. From this table a conjecture can be analyse

L Value (cm) X Value (cm) V(x) (cm3)

3
3 2
6
5
5 9.26
6
8
8 37.91
6

L
Based on the information from the table above, it observes that −6 , which can be
x
L
arranged so that L – 6x and x− . A conjecture can be made for all real x, based on the
6
L
four values of L that has been investigated above. L = 6x and x=
6

This conjecture can be proven using algebra. For example, if the length of the cake tin is L – 2x,
then

V(x) = L x W x H

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

= ( l−2 x )( l−2 x ) ( x )

= L2−4 xl+ 4 x 2 ( x )

= x L2−4 x 2 l+ 4 x3

3x
V’(x) = (¿¿ 2)
2
L −4 (2 xl)+ 4 ¿
2 2
= L −8 xl+12 x

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x= A = 12 B = – 8 C = 1
2a

∆=(−82 )−4 ( 12 ) ( 1 ) 8± 4
¿
24
¿ 64−48
8+4 12 1
x= = =
¿ 16 24 24 2

8 ± √ 16 OR
x=
2(12)
8−4 4 1
x= = =
8± √ 16 24 24 6
¿
24

This equation represents all values of l and x up to infinity. There are many number of
possibilities, factors and variable that can affect the value of x. To the conjecture that have been
made above, the value of L = 25 will be investigated as further evidence, so the general
equation that have been produced is accurate.

L 25
Using the conjecture assumption to discover x produces is x = .=
6 6

V(x) = L x W x H

= (25 –2x) (25 –2x) (x)

= 625–100x+ 4x2(x)

= 625x–100x2+ 4x3

V’(x) = 625 –200x + 12x2

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x= where A = 12 B = – 200 C = 625
2a

∆=(−2002 )−4 ( 12 ) ( 625 )

¿ 40000−30000

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

¿ 10000

200± √ 10000
x=
2( 12)

200 ± √ 10000
¿
24

200 ± 100
¿
24

200+100 300 25
x= = =
24 24 2

OR

200−100 100 25
x= = =
24 24 6

25
∴ produced the same results of the conjecture ; that x=
6

Part B is to investigate a rectangular tinplate. The

following rectangular tinplate was considered, of which an
open tin cake is to be made by cutting a square (x cm by
x cm) from each corner. A conjecture can be made up
from the relationship between x, the cut to be made for
the square, and the length each side of the rectangle
needs to be for the cake tin to reach a maximum volume.

To develop and proof a conjecture, an evidence must be

provided, so different length of r and s will be investigated, to
discover the relationship between r, s and x. for example let r =
3 cm and s = 2 cm

Investigating the value of x for r = 3 cm and s = 2 cm

r = 3 –2x H=x s = 2 –2x

Limitations: r > 0 cm, s > 0 cm, x > 0 cm since r, s and x are lengths; x < 1 cm if s = 2-2xcm ∴ 0
<x<1

This can be proved with algebra:

2 –2x>0

2x < 2

x <1

V (x)= r x s x H

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

= (3 –2x) (2 – 2x )(x)

= x (6 –10x + 4x2)

= 6x –10x2 + 4x3

V’(x) = 6(1) –10(2)x + 4(3)x2

= 6 – 20x + 12x2

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x= where a = 12 b = – 20 c = 6
2a

∆=(−202 )−4 ( 12 ) ( 6 )

¿ 400−288

¿ 112

20± √ 112
x=
2(12)

2 0 ± √ 112
¿
24

20 ± 4 √ 7
¿
24

20+ 4 √ 7 5+ √ 7
x=¿ = = 1.27
24 24

OR

20−4 √7 4( 5−√ 7) 5−√ 7

x=¿ = = = 0.39
24 24 6

Substitute x = 0.39 into V (x) = 6x –10x2 + 4x3, r = 3 – 2x and s = 2 –2x

V(x) = 6(0.39) –10(0.39)2 + 4(0.39)3 r = 3 – 2x s = 2 –2x

= 2.34 –1.52 + 0.24 = 3 – 2(0.39) = 2 – 2(0.39)

= 1.06cm3 = 2.22cm = 1.22 cm

∴ the volume of the cake tin is maximised for r = 3 cm and s = 2 cm when x = 0.39 cm

The table below apply the same way of investigations into three other values of r and s. This
table compares all the values of x that has been discovered from the value of r and s by using
calculus and the quadratic formula. From this table a conjecture can be analyse.

r Value (cm) s value (cm) X Value (cm) V(x) (cm3)

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

2 5−√ 7
3 1.06
6
3 8−√ 19
5 4.11
6
4 12−√ 48
8 12.32
6
Based on the information from this table, a relationship between r, s and x can be identified, and
a general equation can be figure out for all real x. It can be observed that x=
( r+ s )−√ r 2−rs+ s2
occurs for all the values of r and s in the table that has been investigated.
6
this equation represents all values of r, s and x up to infinity.

The sides of a rectangle are in the ratio of a:b.A rectangle of ratio 2:1 will be considered, and the
values of x that give the maximum volume for the cake tin will be discovered using the quadratic
formula. The value of r and s that will be investigated is 12 and 6

Investigating the value of x for r = 12cm and s = 6 cm on the ratio of 2:1

a = 12 –2x H=x b = 6 –2x

The limitations: r > 0 cm, s > 0 cm, x > 0 cm since r, s and x are lengths; x < 3 cm if s = 6-2x cm
∴0<x<3

This can be proved using algebra:

6 –2x > 0

2x < 6

x<3

V (x) = a x b x H

= (12 –2x)(6 –2x)(x)

= x (72 –36x + 4x2)

= 72x –36x2 + 4x3

V’(x) = 72(1) –36(2x) + 4(3x2)

= 72 – 72x + 12x2

−b ± √ b2−4 ac x=
72± √ 1728
x= where a = 12 b = – 72
2a 2(12)
c = 72
72 ± √ 1728
2
¿
∆=(−72 )−4 ( 12 )( 72 ) 24

¿ 5184−3456 72 ± 2 4 √ 3
¿
24
¿ 1728

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

72+2 4 √ 3 72−24 √ 3 4(18−6 √ 3)

x=¿ = 4.73 x=¿ = =
24 24 24
OR 18−6 √ 7
= 1.26
6

Substitute x = 1.26 into V (x) = 72x –36x2 + 4x3, r = 12 – 2x and s = 6 – 2x

V(x) = 72(1.26) –36(1.26)2 + 4(1.26)3 r = 12–2x s = 6–2x

= 90.72 – 45.36 + 5.04 = 12 –2(1.26) = 6 –2(1.26)

= 50.4cm3 = 9.48cm = 3.48 cm

∴ the volume of the cake tin is maximised for r = 12 cm and s = 6 cm on the ratio of 2:1
when x = 1.26 cm

The table below apply the same way of investigations into three other values of r and s. This
table compares all the values of x that has been discovered from the value of r and s by using
calculus and the quadratic formula. From this table a conjecture can be analyse.

r Value (cm) s value (cm) X Value (cm) V(x) (cm3)

6 18−6 √ 3
12 50.4
6
3 12−3 √ 7
9 8.53
6
7 35−7 √ 13
28 150.83
6

Based on the information from this table, a general equation can be figure out that relates to s
( s+ sn )−s √ n2−n+1
and x together. It can be observed that x= , where n is the ratio of r:s
6

In conclusion, in part A the relationship between x and the length of the sides of a cake-tin is
dependent on the cake tin’s lengths. If both sides are in the same length, then the general
L
equation can be predicted any value for x = . This proved with algebra and by using the
6
quadratic formula. In part B if the sides (r and s) of the rectangular tinplate are different, then the
( r+ s )−√ r 2−rs+ s2
general equation to predict the value of x was discovered to be where r
6
and s are the sides of the cake tin. Furthermore in part b, when the sides r and s were in
particular ratio such as 2:1, the formula to find x was similar to the previous formula except
everything under the square root must be multiply by s, which lead into the general equation
( s+ sn )−s √ n2−n+1
x= , where s is the shorter side of the cake tin and n is the ratio of the
6
sides. In all the assumption equation, the length of the cake tin sides is always the numerator,

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 Stage 1 Mathematics Introduction to Differential Calculus – Cake Tin Yolanda Sitepu

while the denominator is 6. This investigation has provided insight into the patterns and
relationships between l and x, and r, s and x, and have also allowed the ability to provide
evidence of differential calculus knowledge.

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