Question

If you want the diagonal, d, to be at least 41.5 inches, what would be a possible length, width, and height for the box?

(1 point)
Responses

20 inches, 20 inches, 27 inches
20 inches, 20 inches, 27 inches

​​​​​​​21 inches, 24 inches, 26 inches
​​​​​​​ 21 inches, 24 inches, 26 inches

23 inches, 24 inches, 25 inches
23 inches, 24 inches, 25 inches

20 inches, 21 inches, 26 inches

1 answer

To find the diagonal of a box, we can use the formula for the diagonal \( d \) of a rectangular prism, which is given by:

\[ d = \sqrt{l^2 + w^2 + h^2} \]

where \( l \) is the length, \( w \) is the width, and \( h \) is the height.

We need to check each option to see if the diagonal is at least 41.5 inches.

  1. 20 inches, 20 inches, 27 inches \[ d = \sqrt{20^2 + 20^2 + 27^2} = \sqrt{400 + 400 + 729} = \sqrt{1529} \approx 39.1 \text{ inches} \]

  2. 21 inches, 24 inches, 26 inches \[ d = \sqrt{21^2 + 24^2 + 26^2} = \sqrt{441 + 576 + 676} = \sqrt{1693} \approx 41.2 \text{ inches} \]

  3. 23 inches, 24 inches, 25 inches \[ d = \sqrt{23^2 + 24^2 + 25^2} = \sqrt{529 + 576 + 625} = \sqrt{1730} \approx 41.6 \text{ inches} \]

  4. 20 inches, 21 inches, 26 inches \[ d = \sqrt{20^2 + 21^2 + 26^2} = \sqrt{400 + 441 + 676} = \sqrt{1517} \approx 38.9 \text{ inches} \]

Now, comparing our results:

  • The first option gives a diagonal of approximately 39.1 inches (not sufficient).
  • The second option gives a diagonal of approximately 41.2 inches (not sufficient).
  • The third option gives a diagonal of approximately 41.6 inches (sufficient).
  • The fourth option gives a diagonal of approximately 38.9 inches (not sufficient).

Thus, the only option that has a diagonal of at least 41.5 inches is:

23 inches, 24 inches, 25 inches.