Answer:
Depth of the rain gutter is 8 inches
Step-by-step explanation:
Let’s assume ‘x’ is the depth of the rain gutter
Then the width of the rain gutter can be written as 16 - 2x
Cross sectional area
A = depth x width
Substitute values
A = x*(16 - 2x)
A = 16x – 2x^2
Now according to axis of symmetry for maximum area x = -b/2a
x = -16/2*(-2)
x = 4 inches depth of rain gutter, substitute the value of x to get
Width of rain gutter 16 – 2(4) = 8 inches
Area of the rain gutter for maximum water flow
A = 4 * 8
A = 32 square inch.
