Question 95160
5.15 ft³ at 1/2" thick is 5.15/(1/24) or 123.6 ft² of steel ... this is the approximate surface area


let x=length, so x-1=width and x+9=height ... SA=2((x)(x-1)+(x)(x+9)+(x-1)(x+9))


SA=2((x^2-x)+(x^2+9x)+(x^2+8x-9))=2(3x^2+16x-9) ... 123.6=6x^2+32x-18 ... 0=6x^2+32x-141.6


quadratic formula gives {{{x=(-32 +- sqrt(32^2-4(6)(-141.6)))/(2(6))}}} ... x=2.875 and x=-8.208 ... negative value not realistic


length=2.875, width=1.875, height=11.875


NOTE:  123.6 ft² is the amount of plate used ... the actual SA will depend on how the corners are joined