SOLUTION: Find, in simplest radical form, the shortest possible distance in centimeters that could be traced from A to B on the surface of this block. Link to diagram: http://tinypic.c

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Question 1134380: Find, in simplest radical form, the shortest possible distance in centimeters that could be traced from A to B on the surface of this block.

Link to diagram: http://tinypic.com/r/1zgurrm/9''.
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


You can get point A on the same surface as point B either of two ways.

(1) If you fold the 4x5 face of the box down, segment AB is the diagonal of a rectangle with dimensions 20x5; the length of AB is sqrt%2820%5E2%2B5%5E2%29+=+sqrt%28425%29

(2) If you fold the 16x4 face down, segment AB is the diagonal of a rectangle with dimensions 16x9; the length of AB is sqrt%2816%5E2%2B9%5E2%29+=+sqrt%28336%29

The shortest distance from A to B on the surface of the block in cm is sqrt(336).

(simplify the answer if required)