You are in a large gallery with a large rectangular painting hung high on a wall. Its lower edge is m feet above your eye level. Its upper edge is n feet above your eye level.

How far back should you stand to maximize your viewing angle, the angle from your eyes to the top and bottom of the painting.

(In reply to Interesting observation by Kenny M)

You can extend your observation to n=E or m=E

That's why I took pains to imply both were positive.

Incidentally this problem comes from the Precalculus book I teach from but m and n are specified and it is meant as an exercise in using the graphing calculator to maximize a function.

Posted by Jer on 2014-02-19 00:39:47