Brain Teasers
Wrapping It Up
I need to wrap eight cube-shaped boxes that are four inches on each side. I may wrap them separately, or I may wrap them together in a variety of different shapes and configurations.
In what way should I wrap all the boxes to use the least amount of wrapping paper?
In what way should I wrap all the boxes to use the least amount of wrapping paper?
Hint
Think of different ways to arrange the boxes for wrapping. The number of box sides to be covered by the wrapping paper determines how much paper is needed.Answer
To use the smallest amount of wrapping paper, I need to arrange the boxes as a cube.I can wrap the boxes separately; in a long line of eight; as a rectangle made up of two rows of four boxes each; or together as a cube.
Wrapping separately:
48 box sides x 16 square inches per box side = 768 square inches;
Wrapping as a line of eight:
34 box sides x 16 square inches per box side = 544 square inches;
Wrapping as a rectangle:
28 box sides x 16 square inches per box side = 448 square inches;
Wrapping as a cube:
24 box sides x 16 square inches per box side = 384 square inches.
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