SOLUTION: Volume. A flat, square piece of cardboard is used to construct an open box by cutting out squares (measuring 1 foot by 1 foot) from the corners and folding up the resulting edges.

Algebra ->  Volume -> SOLUTION: Volume. A flat, square piece of cardboard is used to construct an open box by cutting out squares (measuring 1 foot by 1 foot) from the corners and folding up the resulting edges.       Log On


   

Question 634804: Volume. A flat, square piece of cardboard is used to construct an open box by cutting out squares (measuring 1 foot by 1 foot) from the corners and folding up the resulting edges. If a particular box has a volume of 16 cubic feet, what are the dimensions of the original piece of cardboard? need it pls :( in 2 hours PLS!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Unfortunately 2 hours isn't enough time (usually). The answer/response time varies on this site.


Let x = original dimensions

Since you're taking 1 ft from each side, you're taking 2*1 = 2 feet from each dimension.

So each dimension becomes x-2

So the volume is V = 1*(x-2)*(x-2)

which becomes

V = (x-2)^2


Since the volume is 16, we can say

(x-2)^2 = 16

Now solve for x

(x-2)^2 = 16

x-2 = sqrt(16)

x-2 = 4

x = 4+2

x = 6

So the original box was 6 feet by 6 feet.