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Conference rusure::math

Title:Mathematics at DEC
Moderator:RUSURE::EDP
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2083
Total number of notes:14613

1083.0. "Tougher than it looks..." by CLOSUS::TAVARES (John -- Stay low, keep moving) Mon May 15 1989 15:03

I have a problem that I know can be solved by algebra --
unfortunately, more than I have.

I have cut two foam wing panels ("cores") for my model airplane.
The cores are each 24 inches long and 9 inches wide.  I need to
cover each core completely with balsa wood (neglect the extra
caused by curvature of the airfoil).  I can buy balsa in 3 inch
wide x 36 inch length for .66 a sheet, or in 3 x 48 for .90 a
sheet.  What would be the most economical combination of 36" and
48" panels to buy?  What would be the general expression of wing
panel dimensions vs number of pieces of balsa.  FWIW -- I can
also buy balsa in 4" widths x 36 and 48-inch lengths. 

I am attempting to solve this by drawing wing panels and counting
how much wood I need, otherwise known as the Bulldozer Method --
but it would sure be nice to crank some numbers into a formula
and come up with an answer; especially for other cases of the
general problem.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1083.1KOBAL::GILBERTOwnership ObligatesWed Jun 07 1989 17:004
Get the 3x36 pieces of balsa.  They cost 0.66 per 3x36, or 0.88 per 3x48,
while the 3x48 pieces are more expensive.

Two pieces of the 3x36 balsa will (straight-forwardly) completely cover a wing.