Question

An open box with a volume of 1500 cm cube is to be constructed by taking a piece of cardboard 20 cm by 40 cm, cutting squares of side length x cm from each corner, and folding up the sides. Find the exact dimensions of the box.

Answer 1

The dimensions of the box formed will be:
width: 20 - 2x 
length: 40 - 2x
height: x

Volume = width x length x height
1500 = x(20 - 2x)(40 - 2x)
1500 = x(800 + 4x² - 120x)
1500 = 4x³ - 120x² + 800x
0 = 4x³ - 120x² + 800x - 1500
0 = x³ - 30x² + 200x - 375
Solving the cubic equation:
x = 5 (only integer root)

Length = 30 cm
Width = 10 cm
Height = 5 cm