An open box is to be made from a flat piece of material 8 inches long and 2 inches wide by cutting equal squares of length x from the corners and folding up the sides.

Question

Write the volume V of the box as a function of x. Leave it as a product of factors, do not multiply out the factors.

V=?

Answer 1

length = 8-2x
width = 2-2x
height = x

volume = x(8-2x)(2-2x)

Answer 2

L=8-2x
W=2-2x

volumeV=LWh= (8-2x)(2-2x)(x)