Question

A bookstore receives a shipment consisting of two boxes. There is no empty space in either of the boxes. The first box contains 16 books, each measuring 3/2 in by 8 in by 11 in. The second box contains 30 books, each measuring 3/4 in by 5 in by 8 in.

Explain which of the two boxes is larger and how you know. Show your work to support your explanation.

Answer 1

To find the answer, I used:

Volume = Length • Height • Width

Each book in box 1 has a volume of 132 inches^3 and there are 16 of them, so I multiplied 132 inches^3 by 16 and got a total volume of 2,112 inches^3 in box 1

Each book in box 2 has a volume of 30 inches^3 and there are 30 of them, so I multiplied 30 inches^3 by 30 and got a total volume of 900 inches^3 in box 2

2,112 inches^3 is greater than 900 inches^3 so box 1 should be more than twice as big as box 2