Question

The figure below shows a rectangular prism and a cube:

A rectangular prism and a cube are drawn side by side. The length of the rectangle prism is 5 inches, the width is 4 over 5 inch, and its height is 1 and 3 over 5 inches. The cube has a side length of 1 over 5 inch.

How many such cubes are required to completely pack the prism without any gap or overlap?

Answer 1

Calculate the volume of each shape.

Volume of rectangle = 6 x 5/6 x 1 2/6 = 6 2/3 cubic inches.

Volume of cube = 1/6 x 1/6 x 1/6 = 1/216 cubic inch.

Now divide the volume of the rectangle by the volume of the cube:

6 2/3 / 1/216 = 1440

It will take 1.440 cubes to fill the rectangle.

Explanation: