Optimization of Travel and Pipe Lengths
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsOptimization of Travel and Pipe Lengths
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsOptimization problems
1. For the construction of a work, pipes must be brought through a
corridor whose floor plan view is shown in the figure. To minimize the number of
Later ties, it is desired that the pipe sections be as long as possible.
What length should they be?
Solution:
The greatest length is achieved diagonally between
the two indicated aisles.
Pythagorean Theorem:
√ 2+ A wide2
L= High
Substituting the values.
L= √(3 m )2 +(2 m )2
L= 9√ m 2 +4m2
√ 2
L= 13m
L=3.6056m
The maximum length of each tube to avoid many joints is 3.61 meters.
A woman at point P on an island wishes to reach a town located at
point S on a straight beach on solid land. Point P is 9 miles from the farthest point.
next Q about the beach and the population at point S is 15 miles from Q. See the
FIGURE. If the woman rows a boat at a rate of 3 mi/h towards a point R on land, then
walk the rest of the way to S at a rate of 5 mi/h, determine where it should
land on the beach in order to minimize the total travel time.
Solution:
We use Pythagoras for the distance the woman rows:
a 2+b 2=c 2
PQ2=92 +x 2
√ 2
PQ= 81+x
Distance at which a woman walks RS
RS=15−x
The speed of both displacements is constant therefore
d
t=
v
Travel time:T =Trembled+Walking
T( x)= √ 81+ x 215−x
+ 0≤x≤15
3 5
DerivingT( x) in the online calculator:
x 1
T ' ( x )= −
3 √81+ x 2 5
x 1
− =0
3 √81+ x 2 5
27
x= =6.75
4
We find the second derivative:
27
T''(x
=
) (81+ x 2) 81+ x 2
√
We replace the values in the initial equation: T( x)= √ 81+ x 215−x
+ 0 ≤ x ≤ 15
3 5
27
T ( 0 )=6 h ; T
( )
4
=5.4h;T15()=5.83 hours
Therefore, the minimum travel time occurs when the woman disembarks at the point
27
R located at 6.75 miles from point Q and then walks the remaining 8.25 miles
4
towards point S.