A box with an open top is formed by cutting squares out of the corners of a rectangular piece of cardboard and then folding up the sides. If x represents the length of the side of the square cut from each corner, and if the original piece of cardboard is 20 inches by 15 inches, what size must be cut if the volume of the box is to be 336 cubic inches?

Question

A box with an open top is formed by cutting squares out of the corners of a rectangular piece of cardboard and then folding up the sides.  If x represents the length of the side of the square cut from each corner, and if the original piece of cardboard is 20 inches by 15 inches, what size must be cut if the volume of the box is to be 336 cubic inches?

campbell_st · Answer

well start by drawing a picture 

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you need to find the length and width of the base of the box. The diagram may help