Solve the Problem
-A Piece of Rectangular Sheet Metal Is $x$

question 502

Multiple Choice

Solve the problem
-A piece of rectangular sheet metal is 17 inches wide. It is to be made into a rain gutter by turning up equal edges to form parallel sides. Let $x$ represent the length of each of the parallel sides. For what value of $x$ will the area of the cross section be a maximum (and thus maximize the amount of water that the gutter will hold) ? If necessary, round to 2 decimal places.

• A) \(8.5 \mathrm { in }\).
• B) \(4.25 \mathrm { in }\).
• C) \(68 \mathrm { in }\).
• D) \(34 \mathrm { in }\).

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