The Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that a continuous function on a finite closed interval has both a maximum and a minimum, and that the maximum and the minimum are each at either a critical point, or at one of the endpoints of the interval.
When trying to find the maximum or minimum of a continuous function on a finite closed interval, you take the derivative and set it to zero to find the stationary points. These are one kind of critical points. The other kind of critical points are the points in the domain at which the derivative is not defined.
The usual method to find the extreme you are looking for (whether it is a maximum or a minimum) is to determine whether you have a continuous function on a finite closed interval; if this is the case, then you take the derivative. Then you determine the points in the domain where the derivative is not defined; then the stationary points (points where the derivative is $0$). And then you plug in all of these points, and the endpoints of the interval, into the function, and you look at the values. The largest value you get is the maximum, the smallest value you get is the minimum.
The procedure is the same whether you are looking for the maximum or for the minimum. But if you are not regularly checking the endpoints, you will not always get the right answer, because the maximum (or the minimum) could be at one of the endpoints.
(In the case you are looking for, evaluating at the endpoints gives an area of $0$, so that's the minimum).
(If the domain is not finite and closed, things get more complicated. Often, considering the limit as you approach the endpoints (or the variable goes to $\infty$ or $-\infty$, whichever is appropriate) gives you information which, when combined with information about local extremes of the function (found also by using critical points and the first or second derivative tests), will let you determine whether you have local extremes or not. )
Your mistake seems to be that you're confusing the width of each pen with the width of the whole area. The formula $2w + 5l = 750$ assumes that $w$ is the width of all four pens added together, yet $4lw = a$ treats $w$ as the width of only one pen. Once you make the definition of $w$ consistent, you should get the right answer.
Best Answer
You just made an arithmetic mistake .
Note that $$2-\frac{18000}{x^2}=0 \implies x^2=9000 \implies x=30\sqrt {10}$$ and then you find your $$y= 20\sqrt {10}$$