Cubes - Math

One of the faces of the cube could be drawn like this:

Notice that this makes a triangle.

This means that we can create a proportion for the sides. On the standard triangle, the non-hypotenuse sides are both , and the hypotenuse is . This will allow us to make the proportion:

Multiplying both sides by , you get:

To find the area of the square, you need to square this value:

Now, since there are sides to the cube, multiply this by to get the total surface area:

The cube with the greater sidelength has the greater volume, so we need only calculate and compare sidelengths.

(a) , so the sidelength of the first cube can be found as follows:

inches

(b) by an extension of the Pythagorean Theorem, so the sidelength of the second cube can be found as follows:

Since , . The second cube has the greater sidelength and, subsequently, the greater volume. This makes (b) greater.

The sidelengths of Cubes 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be given values , respectively.

Then the volumes of the cubes are as follows:

Cube 1:

Cube 2:

Cube 3:

Cube 4:

In both answer choices ask for a mean, so we can determine which answer (mean) is greater simply by comparing the sums of volumes.

(a) The sum of the volumes of Cubes 1 and 4 is .

(b) The sum of the volumes of Cubes 2 and 3 is .

Regardless of , the sum of the volumes of Cubes 1 and 4 is greater, and therefore, so is their mean.

It is easiest to think about diagonals like this by considering two points on a cube (if it were drawn in three dimensions). We could draw it like this:

(Note that not all points are drawn in on the cube.)

The two points we are looking at are:

and

Solve this by using the distance formula. This is very easy since one point is all s. It is merely:

This is approximately .

It is easiest to think about diagonals like this by considering two points on a cube (if it were drawn in three dimensions). We could draw it like this:

(Note that not all points are drawn in on the cube.)

The two points we are looking at are:

and

Solve this by using the distance formula. This is very easy since one point is all s. It is merely:

This is approximately .

First, you need to find the side length of this cube. We know that the volume is:

, where is the side length.

Therefore, based on our data, we can say:

Solving for by taking the cube-root of both sides, we get:

Now, it is easiest to think about diagonals like this by considering two points on a cube (if it were drawn in three dimensions). We could draw it like this:

(Note that not all points are drawn in on the cube.)

The two points we are looking at are:

and

Solve this by using the distance formula. This is very easy since one point is all s. It is merely:

This is approximately .

First, you need to find the side length of this cube. We know that the surface area is defined by:

, where is the side length. (This is because the cube is sides of equal area).

Therefore, based on our data, we can say:

Take the square root of both sides and get:

Now, it is easiest to think about diagonals like this by considering two points on a cube (if it were drawn in three dimensions). We could draw it like this:

(Note that not all points are drawn in on the cube.)

The two points we are looking at are:

and

Solve this by using the distance formula. This is very easy since one point is all s. It is merely:

This is approximately .

One of the faces of the cube could be drawn like this:

Notice that this makes a triangle.

This means that we can create a proportion for the sides. On the standard triangle, the non-hypotenuse sides are both , and the hypotenuse is . This will allow us to make the proportion:

Multiplying both sides by , you get:

Recall that the formula for the volume of a cube is:

Therefore, we can compute the volume using the side found above:

Now, rationalize the denominator:

The volume of a cube is defined by the formula

where is the length of one side.

If , then

and

So one side measures 7 inches.

The surface area of a cube is defined by the formula

, so

The surface area is 294 square inches.

We know that the volume of a cube can be found with the equation:

, where is the side length of the cube.

Now, if the volume is , then we know:

Either with your calculator or with careful math, you can solve by taking the cube-root of both sides. This gives you:

This means that each side of the cube is long; therefore, each face has an area of , or . Since there are sides to a cube, this means the total surface area is , or .

This question is very easy. Do not over-think it! All you need to do is calculate the area of one side of the cube. Then, multiply that by (since the cube has sides). Each side of a cube is, of course, a square; therefore, the area of one side of this cube is , or . This means that the whole cube has a surface area of or .

Recall that the formula for the surface area of a cube is:

, where is the length of a side of the cube. This equation is easy to memorize because it is merely a multiplication of a single side () by because a cube has equal sides.

For our data, we know that ; therefore, our equation is:

To solve this, first calculate the side length based on the volume given. Recall that the equation for the volume of a cube is:

, where is the side length.

For our data, this gives us:

Taking the cube-root of both sides, we get:

Now, use the surface area formula to compute the total surface area:

, where is the length of a side of the cube. This equation is easy to memorize because it is merely a multiplication of a single side () by because a cube has equal sides.

For our data, this gives us:

To solve this, first calculate the side length based on the volume given. Recall that the equation for the volume of a cube is:

, where is the side length.

For our data, this gives us:

Taking the cube-root of both sides, we get:

(You will need to use a calculator for this. If your calculator gives you something like . . . it is okay to round. This is just the nature of taking roots!).

Now, use the surface area formula to compute the total surface area:

, where is the length of a side of the cube. This equation is easy to memorize because it is merely a multiplication of a single side () by because a cube has equal sides.

For our data, this gives us:

Now, this could look like a difficult problem; however, think of the equation for finding the length of the diagonal of a cube. It is like the Pythagorean Theorem, just adding an additional dimension:

(It is very easy, because the three lengths are all the same: ).

So, we know this, then:

To solve, you can factor out an from the root on the right side of the equation:

Just by looking at this, you can tell that the answer is:

Now, use the surface area formula to compute the total surface area:

, where is the length of a side of the cube. This equation is easy to memorize because it is merely a multiplication of a single side () by because a cube has equal sides.

For our data, this is:

Now, this could look like a difficult problem. However, think of the equation for finding the length of the diagonal of a cube. It is like the Pythagorean Theorem, just adding an additional dimension:

(It is very easy, because the three lengths are all the same: ).

So, we know this, then:

To solve, you can factor out an from the root on the right side of the equation:

Just by looking at this, you can tell that the answer is:

Now, use the equation for the volume of a cube:

(It is like doing the area of a square, then adding another dimension!).

For our data, it is:

This question is relatively straightforward. The equation for the volume of a cube is:

(It is like doing the area of a square, then adding another dimension!)

Now, for our data, we merely need to "plug and chug:"

Write the equation for the volume of a cube. Substitute the volume to find the side length, .

Write the equation for finding diagonals given an edge length for a cube.

Substitute the side length to find the diagonal length.

The answer is .

Recall how to find the surface area of a cube:

Since the question asks you to find the length of a side of this cube, rearrange the equation.

Substitute in the given surface area to find the side length.

Simplify.

Reduce.

Recall how to find the surface area of a cube:

Since the question asks you to find the length of a side of this cube, rearrange the equation.

Substitute in the given surface area to find the side length.

Simplify.

Reduce.