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CAT 2021 Slot 3 QA Question & Solution

GeometryMedium

Question

The cost of fencing a rectangular plot is ₹ 200 per ft along one side, and ₹ 100 per ft along the three other sides. If the area of the rectangular plot is 60000 sq. ft, then the lowest possible cost of fencing all four sides, in INR, is

Options

120000
90000
100000
160000

Solution

Let us draw the rectangle.

Question Figure

Now, definitely, three sides should be fenced at Rs 100/ft, and one side should be fenced at Rs 200/ft.

In this question, we are going to assume that the L is greater than B.

Hence, the one side painted at Rs 200/ft should be B to minimise costs.

Hence, the total cost = 200B + 100B + 100L + 100L = 300B + 200L

Now, L x B = 60000

B = 60000/L

Hence, total cost = 300B + 200L = 18000000/L + 200L

To minimise this cost, we can use AM>=GM,

$\frac{\frac{18000000}{L}+200L}{2}\ge\sqrt{\ \frac{18000000}{L}\times\ 200L}$

$\frac{18000000}{L}+200L\ge2\sqrt{\ 18000000\times\ 200}$

$\frac{18000000}{L}+200L\ge2\times\ 60000$

Hence, minimum cost = Rs 120000.