
Answer:
a) d= 2x + (54/x)
b) x = √27 m ≈ 5.2 m
Step-by-step explanation:
a) Given
The average number of drops = n Â
Height in meters from the point where the whelk is dropped = x
If  n(x) = 1 + (27/x²)
Then, the total vertical distance the crow travels upward to open a whelk is the height (x) times the average number of times the crow has to fly upwards to try again
d = 2xn = 2x*(1 + (27/x²)) = 2x + (54/x)
b) To minimize the distance consider the first derivative
d' = (2x + (54/x))' = 2 - (54/x²)
and d' = 0 Â give us (x must be positive)
2 - (54/x²) = 0  ⇒  x = √27 m ≈ 5.2 m