The length of a child's square-based jewelry box is 5cm more than its height. The box has a capacity of 500cm^3. Solve a polynomial equation to determine the dimensions of the box.

2 answers

l=w=h+5 or h= l-5

500=Lwh= l^2(l-5)

l^3-L^2-500=0

I would solve that graphically on your calculator, see were L satisfies the function...about 7.6cm
bob's equation should have been

l^3 - 5l^2 - 500 = 0
(l-10)(l^2 - 5l + 50) = 0
l = 10 , since the quadratic has complex roots

the box is 10 by 10 by 5