Question

A box in the shape of a rectangular prism has a volume of 96 cubic feet. The box has a length of (x+8) feet, a width of x feet, and a height of (x-2) feet. Find the dimensions of the box.

Answer 1

96=(x+8)*x*(x-2)=x^3 +6x^2 -16x. Solve to get x= -6,-4,4. Negative distance doesn't make sense, so x=+4. Therefore, length is (x+8)=(4+8)= 12, width=x=4, and height=(x-2)=(4-2)=2.