Math  /  Algebra

QuestionAn open-top box is to be constructed from a sheet of tin that measures 24 inches by 16 inches by cutting out squares from each corner as shown and then folding up the sides. Let V(x)V(x) denote the volume of the resulting box.
Step 2 of 2 : Among the values of xx for which V(x)=0V(x)=0, which are physically possible?

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're finding the *realistic* sizes of the squares we can cut from a 24x16 inch sheet to make a box with *zero* volume. Watch out! Math might give us some *crazy* answers, but we have to remember we're dealing with a *real* box!

STEP 2

1. Define the function
2. Find the zeros
3. Check for physical possibility

STEP 3

Alright, so we're building a box!
We start with a sheet of tin that's **24 inches** long and **16 inches** wide.
We're cutting squares of side length xx from each corner.

STEP 4

When we fold up the sides, the *length* of the box becomes 242x24 - 2x, the *width* becomes 162x16 - 2x, and the *height* is just xx.

STEP 5

The *volume* V(x)V(x) of a box is length times width times height.
So, our volume function is V(x)=(242x)(162x)xV(x) = (24 - 2x) \cdot (16 - 2x) \cdot x.

STEP 6

We want to find the values of xx where the volume is *zero*.
That means we're solving V(x)=0V(x) = 0, or (242x)(162x)x=0(24 - 2x) \cdot (16 - 2x) \cdot x = 0.

STEP 7

This equation is *true* if any of the factors are zero.
So, we have three possibilities: 242x=024 - 2x = 0, 162x=016 - 2x = 0, or x=0x = 0.

STEP 8

Let's solve 242x=024 - 2x = 0.
Adding 2x2x to both sides gives 24=2x24 = 2x.
Dividing both sides by **2** gives us x=12x = 12.

STEP 9

Now let's solve 162x=016 - 2x = 0.
Adding 2x2x to both sides gives 16=2x16 = 2x.
Dividing both sides by **2** gives us x=8x = 8.

STEP 10

And of course, we have x=0x = 0.
So our solutions are x=0x = 0, x=8x = 8, and x=12x = 12.

STEP 11

If x=0x = 0, we haven't cut anything out, so we don't have a box.
That makes sense because the volume would be zero!

STEP 12

If x=8x = 8, we're cutting out squares of side length **8 inches** from each corner.
The width of the tin sheet is only **16 inches**, so cutting out 28=162 \cdot 8 = 16 inches would leave us with *no width*!
So x=8x = 8 isn't physically possible.

STEP 13

If x=12x = 12, we're cutting out squares of side length **12 inches**.
The length of the tin sheet is **24 inches**, so cutting out 212=242 \cdot 12 = 24 inches would leave us with *no length*!
So x=12x = 12 isn't physically possible either.

STEP 14

Only x=0x = 0 is physically possible, even though it doesn't actually make a box.

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