The length of a rectangular piece of tin is twice its width. A two-inch square is cut from each corner so that a box may be formed by folding up the sides. If the box has a volume of 60 cubic inches, what was the width of the original piece of tin?
(a) 7"
(b) 6"
(c) 10"
(d) 14"
(e) 15"

Question

The length of a rectangular piece of tin is twice its width. A two-inch square is cut from each corner so that a box may be formed by folding up the sides. If the box has a volume of 60 cubic inches, what was the width of the original piece of tin?
(a) 7"
(b) 6"
(c) 10"
(d) 14"
(e) 15"

mathteacher1729 · Answer

How far did you get with this problem before getting stuck?

anonymous · Answer

i don't even know where to start

mathteacher1729 · Answer

Let's take apart that first sentence...

The length of a rectangular piece of tin is twice its width. 

The length of a rectangular piece of tin = twice its width. 

The length of a rectangular piece of tin = twice its W.

The length of a rectangular piece of tin = 2*W.

The L of a rectangular piece of tin = 2*W.

L = 2*W

anonymous · Answer

ok and after the cuts the width is w-4, the length is 2w -4 and the height is 2. Volume = length*width*height so 60 = (2w-4)(w-4)2 and w=7 or w=-1 but a negative width doesn't make sense so the width had to be 7".