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1 Problem Overview
This problem involves calculating the volume of a box,
V
=
lwh
. Using guess and a check a student could determinea few different volumes and create a guess.Key concepts:1. Algebraic equations: given a fold distance
x
, the volume can be expressed as
V
= (
w
−
2
x
)(
h
−
2
x
)
x
2. The distributive property: (8
−
2
x
)(10
−
2
x
)
x
= 4
x
3
−
36
x
2
+ 80.3. Graphing, students may use a graph of the equation to determine the maximum volume of the box (they willneed to use the “max” function on the calculator)4. Without a calculator, solving this problem involves calculus.
•
Assume the paper width and height 8.5 by 11. Gives the equation
V
= 4
x
3
−
39
x
2
+ 93
.
5
x
which can bedifferentiated into 12
x
2
−
78
x
+93
.
5, setting this equal to 0 gives two solutions:
x
=78
±√
39912, Since 2
x
cannot exceed the width or height, we are left with the maximal value of
x
as
≈
1
.
59 inches.
•
Box Folding
– 2010
Activity:
•
Show your work in a clear, organized manner
•
Solve the Problem
•
Bonus for solving it with different strategies
•
Summarize and Reflect on this problem
–
Verify your solution (can you demonstrate that you
must
be right?
–
Explain your process.
How did you solve it?
–
Explain anything that confused you and how you figured it out.
–
Tell what you learned from working on this problem.
–
Are there any important mathematical connections you can make?
What mathematical concepts should be applied to an elegant solution of this problem?
2 Challenge: Paper Box Folding
Fold the largest open box possible, given a piece of printer paper.
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