2008 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 16

Problem

A shape is created by joining seven unit cubes, as shown. What is the ratio of the volume in cubic units to the surface area in square units?

[asy] import three; defaultpen(linewidth(0.8)); real r=0.5; currentprojection=orthographic(1,1/2,1/4); draw(unitcube, white, thick(), nolight); draw(shift(1,0,0)*unitcube, white, thick(), nolight); draw(shift(1,-1,0)*unitcube, white, thick(), nolight); draw(shift(1,0,-1)*unitcube, white, thick(), nolight); draw(shift(2,0,0)*unitcube, white, thick(), nolight); draw(shift(1,1,0)*unitcube, white, thick(), nolight); draw(shift(1,0,1)*unitcube, white, thick(), nolight);[/asy]

$\textbf{(A)} \:1 : 6 \qquad\textbf{ (B)}\: 7 : 36 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\: 1 : 5 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\: 7 : 30\qquad\textbf{ (E)}\: 6 : 25$

Solution

The volume is of seven unit cubes which is $7$. The surface area is the same for each of the protruding cubes which is $5\cdot 6=30$. The ratio of the volume to the surface area is $\boxed{\textbf{(D)}\: 7 : 30}$.

See Also

2008 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 15
Followed by
Problem 17
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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