Problema Solution

A rectangular piece of metal is 25 inches longer than it is wide.Squares with sides 5 inches long are cut from the four corners and the flaps are folded upward to for an open box. If the volume of the box is 930 in^3, what were the original dimensions of the piece of metal?

What is the original width?

What was the original length?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


l = the length of the rectangular metal piece before the cut

w = the width of the rectangular metal piece before the cut


a rectangular piece of metal is 25 inches longer than it is wide


l = 25 + w


the dimensions of the box are:


length: l - 2*5 = l - 10

width: w - 2*5 = w - 10

height: h = 5 in


the volume of the box is V = 930 in^3


V = length*width*height


V = (l - 10)(w - 10)*5


(l - 10)(w - 10)*5 = 930


plug l = 25 + w into the last equations


(25 + w - 10)(w - 10)*5 = 930


by solving we find


w = 16 in


click here to see the step by step solution of the equation


Click to see all the steps



l = 25 + 16


l = 41 in


the original length was 41 inches.

the original width was 16 inches.