If A=38x-x^2 then
dA/dx=38-2x
d2A/dx2=-2
Since the acceleration, d2A/dx2 is a constant negative, when velocity, dA/dx=0, it will be an absolute maximum for A(x)
dA/dx=0 only when 38=2x, x=19
A(19)=38(19)-19^2
A(19)=722-361
A(19)=361 ft^2
So the maximum possible area is 361 ft^2
(This will always be true as the maximum possible area enclosed by a given amount of material will always be a perfect square...)