Finding the Area of the Garden

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 74 views

Introduction

As a homeowner, creating a beautiful and functional garden is a top priority. However, with limited resources, such as fencing, it's essential to make the most of what you have. In this scenario, Yardbird Landscaping has 60 meters of fencing to enclose a rectangular garden. The goal is to express the garden's area as a function of its length, which will help us determine the optimal dimensions for the garden.

Understanding the Problem

To start, let's break down the problem. We have a rectangular garden with an unknown length, denoted as $x$ meters. The garden is enclosed by 60 meters of fencing. Our objective is to express the area of the garden as a function of its length, $x$ . This means we need to find a mathematical expression that represents the area of the garden in terms of $x$ .

Expressing the Garden's Area as a Function

To express the garden's area as a function of its length, we need to consider the relationship between the length and the width of the garden. Since the garden is rectangular, we know that the width is related to the length. Let's denote the width as $y$ meters.

We are given that the garden is enclosed by 60 meters of fencing. This means that the perimeter of the garden is equal to 60 meters. The perimeter of a rectangle is given by the formula:

P = 2l + 2w

where $P$ is the perimeter, $l$ is the length, and $w$ is the width. In this case, the perimeter is 60 meters, and the length is $x$ meters. We can substitute these values into the formula:

60 = 2x + 2y

Now, we can solve for $y$ in terms of $x$ :

y = 30 - x

This equation represents the relationship between the width and the length of the garden.

Finding the Area of the Garden

Now that we have expressed the width in terms of the length, we can find the area of the garden. The area of a rectangle is given by the formula:

A = lw

where $A$ is the area, $l$ is the length, and $w$ is the width. We can substitute the expressions for $l$ and $w$ into this formula:

A = x(30 - x)

Expanding the expression, we get:

A = 30x - x^2

This is the area of the garden as a function of its length, $x$ .

Conclusion

In this scenario, Yardbird Landscaping has 60 meters of fencing to enclose a rectangular garden. We have expressed the garden's area as a function of its length, $x$ , using the formula:

A = 30x - x^2

This expression represents the area of the garden in terms of its length, which will help us determine the optimal dimensions for the garden.

Optimization

To optimize the garden's dimensions, we can use calculus to find the maximum area. We can take the derivative of the area function with respect to $x$ and set it equal to zero:

\frac{dA}{dx} = 30 - 2x = 0

Solving for $x$ , we get:

x = 15

This means that the optimal length of the garden is 15 meters. We can substitute this value into the area function to find the maximum area:

A = 30(15) - (15)^2 = 225

This means that the maximum area of the garden is 225 square meters.

Real-World Applications

This problem has real-world applications in landscape design and gardening. By expressing the garden's area as a function of its length, we can determine the optimal dimensions for the garden, which will help us create a beautiful and functional outdoor space.

Limitations

One limitation of this problem is that it assumes a rectangular garden. In reality, gardens can come in many shapes and sizes. However, this problem provides a good starting point for understanding the relationship between the length and the width of a garden.

Future Research

Future research could involve exploring other shapes and sizes of gardens, such as circular or triangular gardens. This would require developing new mathematical expressions to represent the area of these shapes in terms of their dimensions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Yardbird Landscaping has 60 meters of fencing to enclose a rectangular garden. We have expressed the garden's area as a function of its length, $x$ , using the formula:

A = 30x - x^2

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to express the area of a rectangular garden as a function of its length. We used the formula:

A = 30x - x^2

to represent the area of the garden in terms of its length, $x$ . In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about this problem.

Q: What is the relationship between the length and the width of the garden?

A: The width of the garden is related to the length by the equation:

y = 30 - x

This equation represents the relationship between the width and the length of the garden.

Q: How do I find the area of the garden?

A: To find the area of the garden, you can use the formula:

A = lw

where $A$ is the area, $l$ is the length, and $w$ is the width. We can substitute the expressions for $l$ and $w$ into this formula:

A = x(30 - x)

Expanding the expression, we get:

A = 30x - x^2

This is the area of the garden as a function of its length, $x$ .

Q: How do I optimize the garden's dimensions?

A: To optimize the garden's dimensions, you can use calculus to find the maximum area. You can take the derivative of the area function with respect to $x$ and set it equal to zero:

\frac{dA}{dx} = 30 - 2x = 0

Solving for $x$ , we get:

x = 15

This means that the optimal length of the garden is 15 meters. We can substitute this value into the area function to find the maximum area:

A = 30(15) - (15)^2 = 225

This means that the maximum area of the garden is 225 square meters.

Q: What are some real-world applications of this problem?

A: This problem has real-world applications in landscape design and gardening. By expressing the garden's area as a function of its length, we can determine the optimal dimensions for the garden, which will help us create a beautiful and functional outdoor space.

Q: What are some limitations of this problem?

A: One limitation of this problem is that it assumes a rectangular garden. In reality, gardens can come in many shapes and sizes. However, this problem provides a good starting point for understanding the relationship between the length and the width of a garden.

Q: Can I use this problem to find the optimal dimensions for a circular garden?

A: No, this problem is specifically designed for rectangular gardens. To find the optimal dimensions for a circular garden, you would need to use a different mathematical approach.

Q: Can I use this problem to find the optimal dimensions for a triangular garden?

A: No, this problem is specifically designed for rectangular gardens. To find the optimal dimensions for a triangular garden, you would need to use a different mathematical approach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have answered some frequently asked questions about expressing the area of a rectangular garden as a function of its length. We have also discussed some real-world applications and limitations of this problem. By using calculus to find the maximum area, we can determine the optimal length of the garden, which is 15 meters. This problem provides a good starting point for understanding the relationship between the length and the width of a garden.

Additional Resources

For more information on this problem, you can check out the following resources:

Final Thoughts

Expressing the area of a rectangular garden as a function of its length is a fundamental concept in mathematics. By using calculus to find the maximum area, we can determine the optimal dimensions for the garden. This problem has real-world applications in landscape design and gardening, and it provides a good starting point for understanding the relationship between the length and the width of a garden.