In cubic feet what is the volume of a toy box measuring 4 1/5 feet long, 2 1/3 feet wide and 3 1/2 feet tall? Use the volume formula to solve. The answer will be a mixed fraction in cubic feet.

1 answer

To find the volume of the toy box, we can use the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism, which is:

\[ \text{Volume} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} \times \text{Height} \]

Given the measurements in mixed fractions:

  • Length = \(4 \frac{1}{5}\) feet
  • Width = \(2 \frac{1}{3}\) feet
  • Height = \(3 \frac{1}{2}\) feet

First, we convert the mixed fractions to improper fractions.

  1. Convert \(4 \frac{1}{5}\): \[ 4 \frac{1}{5} = \frac{(4 \times 5) + 1}{5} = \frac{20 + 1}{5} = \frac{21}{5} \]

  2. Convert \(2 \frac{1}{3}\): \[ 2 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{(2 \times 3) + 1}{3} = \frac{6 + 1}{3} = \frac{7}{3} \]

  3. Convert \(3 \frac{1}{2}\): \[ 3 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{(3 \times 2) + 1}{2} = \frac{6 + 1}{2} = \frac{7}{2} \]

Now, we can substitute these improper fractions into the volume formula:

\[ \text{Volume} = \left(\frac{21}{5}\right) \times \left(\frac{7}{3}\right) \times \left(\frac{7}{2}\right) \]

Now we multiply these fractions together:

  1. Multiply the numerators: \[ 21 \times 7 \times 7 = 1029 \]

  2. Multiply the denominators: \[ 5 \times 3 \times 2 = 30 \]

Thus, the volume is: \[ \text{Volume} = \frac{1029}{30} \]

Next, we simplify this fraction. We can perform the division to express it as a mixed fraction: \[ 1029 \div 30 = 34\quad \text{remainder: } 9 \] So, \[ \frac{1029}{30} = 34 \frac{9}{30} \]

Now, we simplify \(\frac{9}{30}\):

  • The greatest common divisor of 9 and 30 is 3.
  • Thus: \[ \frac{9}{30} = \frac{3}{10} \]

Bringing it all together, we have: \[ \text{Volume} = 34 \frac{3}{10} \]

Therefore, the volume of the toy box is: \[ \boxed{34 \frac{3}{10}} \text{ cubic feet} \]