SOLUTION: Open-top box. Thomas is going to make an open-top box by cutting equal squares from four corners of an 11 inch by 14 inch sheet of cardboard and folding up the sides. If the area o

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Question 47782: Open-top box. Thomas is going to make an open-top box by cutting equal squares from four corners of an 11 inch by 14 inch sheet of cardboard and folding up the sides. If the area of the base is to be 80 square inches then what size square should be cut from each corner?


Thanks
Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x be the equal width
EQUATION:
(11-2x)(14-2x)-11*14=80
(11-2x)(14-2x)=80
154+4x^2-50x=80
4x^2-50x-74=0
x^2-12.5x-18.5=0
x+=+%28-%28-12.5%29+%2B-+sqrt%28+%2812.5%29%5E2-4%2A1%2A18.5+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29+
x=1.7 (the lowest value)
Paul.