2008 iTest Problems/Problem 38

Problem

The volume of a certain rectangular solid is $216\text{ cm}^3$ , its total surface area is $288\text{ cm}^2$ , and its three dimensions are in geometric progression. Find the sum of the lengths in cm of all the edges of this solid.

Solution

Let the three side lengths be $\tfrac{a}{r}$ , $a$ , and $ar$ . Because the volume of the solid is $216\text{ cm}^3$ , $\frac{a}{r} \cdot a \cdot ar = 216$ $a = 6$ The surface area of the solid is $288\text{ cm}^2$ , so $2(\frac{a^2}{r} + a^2r + a^2) = 288$ Note that the sum of the side lengths of the cube is $4(\tfrac{6}{r} + 6 + 6r)$ and that the equation above has a similar form. $2(\frac{36}{r} + 36r + 36) = 288$ $2(\frac{6}{r} + 6r + 6) = 48$ $4(\frac{6}{r} + 6r + 6) = 96$ The sum of all the edges of the cube is $\boxed{96}$ centimeters.

2008 iTest (Problems)
Preceded by: Problem 37	Followed by: Problem 39
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2008 iTest Problems/Problem 38

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