Skip to content
Miscellaneous Exercise 2(II) · Q122

Q.Show that of all rectangles inscribed in a given circle, the square has the maximum area.

Maharashtra MsbshseTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★
76% · 122/160 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Let the circle have radius RR (fixed), and the inscribed rectangle have sides x,yx,y. Since the diagonal of the rectangle is a diameter of the circle: x2+y2=4R2⇒y=4R2−x2x^2+y^2=4R^2 \Rightarrow y=\sqrt{4R^2-x^2}.

A=xy=x4R2−x2A=xy=x\sqrt{4R^2-x^2}. Maximise A2=x2(4R2−x2)=4R2x2−x4A^2=x^2(4R^2-x^2)=4R^2x^2-x^4 (equivalent since A>0A>0).

d(A2)dx=8R2x−4x3=4x(2R2−x2)\dfrac{d(A^2)}{dx}=8R^2x-4x^3=4x(2R^2-x^2). Setting =0=0 (with x≠0x\ne0): x2=2R2⇒x=R2x^2=2R^2 \Rightarrow x=R\sqrt2. …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.