# A wire of length 28 cm is to be cut into two pieces. One of the two pieces is to be made into a square and the other into a circle.

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A wire of length 28 cm is to be cut into two pieces. One of the two pieces is to be made into a square and the other into a circle. What should be the length of two pieces so that the combined area of them is minimum?

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Let the length of one piece be x cm, then the length of other piece will be (28 - x) cm.

Let from the first piece we make a circle of radius r and from the second piece we make a square of side y.

Then,

Let A be the combined area of the circle and square then,

A = πr2 + y2

⇒ A = $\pi(\frac{x}{2\pi})^2+$$(\frac{28-x}{4})^2$ ...(ii)

Differentiating (ii) and with respect to 'x', we get

For maximum and minimum A' = 0

Since,

A' = + ve for $x= \frac{28\pi}{4+\pi}$

∴ A is min for $x= \frac{28\pi}{4+\pi}$

Thus, the required length of two pieces are

$x= \frac{28\pi}{4+\pi}$ cm and 28 - $x$

= 28 - $\frac{28\pi}{4+\pi}$

$\frac{192}{4+\pi}$cm.