Question

Tim has a rectangular prism with a length of 10 centimeters, a width of 2 centimeters, and an unknown height. he needs to build another rectangular prism with a length of 5 centimeters and the same height as the original prism. the volume of the two prisms will be the same. find the width, in centimeters, of the new prism.

Answer 1

The volume of the original prism is given by:
 V1 = (10) * (2) * (h)
 rewriting:
 V1 = 20h
 Where,
 h: height
 The volume of the second prism is given by:
 V2 = (5) * (w) * (h)
 We know that the height is the same.
 As the volume is the same then:
 (5) * (w) * (h) = 20h
 Clearing w we have:
 w = (20/5) = 4 cm
 Answer:
 The width, in centimeters, of the new prism is:
 w = 4cm