16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumExpression for the volume of an open box folded from a square sheet

Advanced Math practice question

A square of side 2 centimetres is cut from each corner of a square sheet of cardboard with side length s centimetres, where s > 4, and the flaps are folded up to make an open box. Which expression gives the volume of the box, in cubic centimetres?

  1. A. 2(s − 4)²Correct
  2. B. 2(s − 2)²
  3. C. (s − 4)²
  4. D. 4(s − 2)²

Answer: A. 2(s − 4)²

Cutting 2 cm from both ends of each side leaves a base of (s − 4) by (s − 4), and the folded flaps make the height 2. Volume = 2(s − 4)².

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 2(s − 2)²
2(s − 2)² removes 2 cm from only one end of each side.
C. (s − 4)²
(s − 4)² is the base area, without the height.
D. 4(s − 2)²
4(s − 2)² uses the wrong base and the square of the height.

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