Area is an exciting topic to teach! We start by introducing young children to area and perimeter of simple shapes, move through to curved shapes and volume, meet $\pi$, and eventually move on to using calculus to solve real world problems involving areas and volumes.
This problem combines both area and perimeter by inviting students to consider the different possibilities for the perimeter when the area of a rectangle is fixed.
This problem offers students insights into differentiation, integration and the relationships between the two without needing to get involved with technical manipulations.