As you can see by the table above, the largest volume is achieved when the cut-out size of each corner of the box is 1.67cm. I also made a graph to prove that the maximum cut-out size is around 1.67cm.
As you can see the graph shows that the maximum cut out size is between 1.5cm and 1.7cm.
If I wish to work out the proportion of the box that needs to be cut away to obtain the maximum cut-out size, I need to divide 1.67cm by 10. In doing this I get an answer of 0.16665, or a proportion of 1/6. To see if this is correct I decided to look at different size square, 15cm by 15cm. I worked out a 1/6 of 15, which was 2.5cm so I made a spreadsheet to work out the maximum cut out size and volume of a 15cm by 15cm square. I looked between 2.41cm and 2.51cm for the maximum cut out size, as I knew the cut out size should be around that figure.
15CM BY 15CM SQUARE
As you can see from the table above the proportion of the box that needs to be cut away to obtain the maximum cut out size is 1/6 as I found out the maximum cut-out size is 2.5cm. I also made a graph to prove that 2.5cm is the maximum cut out size.
To prove that 1/6 of the size of the box gets the maximum cut out size again, I tried to prove it with a box with measurements of 20cm by 20cm. So I worked out 1/6 of 20 which gave me 3.333 so in the spreadsheet I used numbers between 3 and 3.6 for the cut out square.
As you can see the maximum cut out size is 3.30, which is around the answer, I worked out. So this definitely proves that 1/6 of the length or width of the box gives me the maximum cut out size of the box. I also made a graph to show that the maximum cut out size is around 3.30cm.
Other than using Microsoft excel to show the maximum cut out size and volume you can also prove it through algebra. Using algebra I can prove the maximum volume. I already know that a 1/6 of the length or width (which is the same, as in a square all the sides are equal) gives me the maximum cut out size so I substituted this into the formula.
Volume= (x-2h) (x-2h) * h
(H=cut out size and x=the measurement of the side of the square)
Substitute (h=x/6)
Volume= (x-2x/6) (x-2x/6) * x/6
Multiply out
Volume= (x²-2x²/6-2x²/6+4x²/36)*x/6
Factorise
Volume= x³/6-2x³/36-2x³/36+4x³/216
Volume= 36x³-12x³-12x³+4x³
216
Volume= 40x³-24x³
216
Volume= 16*x³
216
Volume= 2*x³
27
To prove this is correct I will use this formula to work out the maximum volume for a square with dimensions of 10cm by 10cm.
2*10³
= 74.074
27
This is correct because this was the maximum volume I achieved when I calculated it in the spreadsheets.
I can also prove the maximum cut out size by using the gradient function. The gradient function also you to the gradient at any point on a line graph. To calculate the gradient function if y=a*x (n*a) x
For example: 3x²= (2*3) x
= 6x
This formula will give you the gradient when it equals 0. This can find the maximum cut out size as when the gradient=0 this will give the highest point in the graph as shown below:
I will use this function to prove the maximum cut out size for a 10cm by 10cm square is 1.67cm:
Volume= (x-2h) (x-2h) * h
= (X²-4xh+4h²) * h
= Xh²-4xh²+4h³
Substitute (h=10)
= 100x-40x+4x³
Use gradient function
0=100-80x+12x² (divide by 2) 0= 50-20x+6x²
0= 25-20x+3x²
Solve by using common formulae
I am now going to continue my investigation by looking at the shape of rectangles. As there are too many combinations of lengths and widths of rectangles for me to possibly even begin to investigate I am going to investigate two different rectangles, with the ratio between the length and width as 2:1 and 3:1.
I shall begin with a width of 20cm, and a length of 40cm, this is a ratio of 1:2, the length being twice as long as the width.
This is the formula I put into the spreadsheet:
(2w-2x) (w-2x) x
(w= the width of the rectangle and x= the cut out size)
Below are the results I got through this spreadsheet:
Card Size: 10cm by 20cm- TO FIND EXACT CUT OUT SIZE
As you can see by the table above, the largest volume is achieved when the cut out size of each corner of the box is 2.11cm. I also made a graph to prove that the maximum cut out size is around 2.11cm.
OPTIMUM CUT OUT SIZE FOR BOX SIZE 10CM BY 20CM
As you can see from the graph the maximum cut out size is between 2.1cm and 2.12cm.
If I wish to work out the proportion of the box that needs to be cut away to obtain the maximum cut out size, I need to divide 2.11cm by 10. In doing this I get an answer of 0.211, or a proportion of 1/4.73. To see if this is correct I decided to look at different size square, 20cm by 40cm. I worked out a 1/4.73 of 20, which was 4.228cm so I made a spreadsheet to work out the maximum cut out size and volume of a 20cm by 40cm square. I looked between 4cm and 4.3cm for the maximum cut out size, as I knew the cut out size should be around that figure.
Card Size: 20cm by 40cm
As you can see the maximum cut out size is 4.23cm, which is around the answer, I worked out. So this definitely proves that 1/4.73 of the width of the box gives me the maximum cut out size of the box. I also made a graph to show that the maximum cut out size is around 4.23cm.
Optimum cut out size For Box Size 20cm by 40cm
This graph shows that the maximum cut out size is around 4.23cm.
Before investigating the rectangles in the ratio of 3:1 I need to prove through algebra how to get the maximum volume for the rectangle with a ratio of 2:1. I have already worked out that 1/4.73 of the width of the box gives me the maximum cut out size of the box, so I have to substitute this into the volume formula.
I shall begin with a width of 10cm, and a length of 30cm, this is a ratio of 1:3, the length being three times as long as the width.
This is the formula I put into the spreadsheet:
(3w-2x) (w-2x) x
Below are the results I got through this spreadsheet:
Card Size: 10cm by 30cm
As you can see by the table above, the largest volume is achieved when the cut out size of each corner of the box is 2.26cm. I also made a graph to prove that the maximum cut out size is around 2.26cm.
Optimum cut out size For Box Size 10cm by 30cm
This graph shows that the maximum cut out size is around 2.26cm.
If I wish to work out the proportion of the box that needs to be cut away to obtain the maximum cut out size, I need to divide 2.26cm by 10. In doing this I get an answer of 0.226, or a proportion of 1/4.42. To see if this is correct I decided to look at different size square, 20cm by 60cm. I worked out a 1/4.42 of 20, which was 4.52cm so I made a spreadsheet to work out the maximum cut out size and volume of a 20cm by 60cm square. I looked between 4.45cm and 4.55cm for the maximum cut out size, as I knew the cut out size should be around that figure.
Card Size: 20cm by 60cm
As you can see the maximum cut out size is 4.51cm, which is around the answer, I worked out. So this definitely proves that 1/4.73 of the width of the box gives me the maximum cut out size of the box. I also made a graph to show that the maximum cut out size is around 4.51cm.
Optimum cut out size For Box Size 20cm by 60cm
This graph shows that the maximum cut out size is around 4.51cm.
I need to prove through algebra how to get the maximum volume for the rectangle with a ratio of 3:1. I have already worked out that 1/4.42 of the width of the box gives me the maximum cut out size of the box, so I have to substitute this into the volume formula.
