Rectangles beneath a curve A rectangle is constructed with one side on the positive x-axis, one side on the positive y-axis, and the vertex opposite the origin on the curve y = cos x, for \(0<x<\pi / 2\). Approximate the dimensions of the rectangle that maximize the area of the rectangle. What is the area?
Solution Step 1 In this problem a rectangle is constructed with one side on the positive x-axis and one side on the positive y-axis and the vertex opposite to the origin on the curve y = cos x, for 0 < x < /2. We have to find the dimensions of the rectangle that maximize the area of the rectangle.