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How can you find the dimensions of two prisms that have the same volume but different surface area

User Jhonn
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1 Answer

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Find the factors of the volume and use the different factors.

For example If the volume is 36 cubic inches, the factors of 36 are:

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36

If one prism was 12 x 3 x 1, the volume would be : 12 x 3 x 1 = 36

The surface area would be 2 x (12x3) + 12x1) + (3*1) = 102 sq. inches.

It the prism was 9 x 4 x 1, the volume would be 9 x 4 x 1 = 36

The surface area would be: 2 x (9x4)+(9x1) +4x1) = 98 sq. inches.

The volume is the same, but the surface areas are different.

User David Cummins
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