Question

Thomas buys a cardboard sheet that is 8 by 12 inches. Let x be the side length of each cutout. Using complete sentences, explain the connection between the cutout and the volume of the box.

Answer 1

Answer: V = (12in - 2*x)*(8 in - 2*x)*x

Explanation:

So we have a rectangular cardboard sheet, and we cut four squares of side length x in each corner so we can make a box.

Remember that for a box of length L, width W and height H, the volume is:

V = L*W*H

In this case, the length initially is 12 inches, but we remove (from each end) x inches of the length, then the length of the box will be:

L = 12 in - 2*x

For the width we have a similar case:

W = 8in - 2*x

And te height of the box will be equal to x, then:

H = x

This means that the volume is:

V = (12in - 2*x)*(8 in - 2*x)*x

Here we can see the connection between the cutout and the volume of the box