Question
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The ratio of the surface area of a rectangular prism to its volume is . If the
length of the prism is 5 inches and the width is 3 inches, which proportion below
could be used to solve for the height?
(Hint: For a rectangular prism, and
).


Ask by Pierce Parry. in Canada
Mar 24,2025

Upstudy AI Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

The correct proportion to solve for the height is:

Solution

To solve for the height of the rectangular prism using the given ratio of surface area to volume, we need to first express the surface area (SA) and volume (V) in terms of the height .
  1. Calculate the Surface Area (SA):
    The formula for the surface area of a rectangular prism is:
    Substituting the known values inches and inches:
  2. Calculate the Volume (V):
    The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is:
    Substituting the known values:
  3. Set up the ratio:
    The ratio of the surface area to the volume is given as :
    Substituting the expressions for SA and V:
Now, let’s check which of the provided proportions matches this setup:
  • Option 1:
    This simplifies to:
    This is equivalent to our derived ratio.
  • Option 2:
    This does not match our derived ratio.
  • Option 3:
    This does not match our derived ratio.
Thus, the correct proportion that could be used to solve for the height is:

Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor

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Bonus Knowledge

When it comes to rectangular prisms, understanding their surface area and volume can feel like you’re solving a puzzle. The surface area is determined by the formula , while the volume is given by . With a ratio of describing the relationship between these two measurements, you can set up a proportion where the surface area is the numerator and the volume is the denominator, relating height to the other dimensions.
This problem is a great way to practice setting up proportions! To find which proportion is appropriate, start by calculating the specific values for the surface area using the given dimensions (length = 5 inches, width = 3 inches) and include the height as the unknown. The correct proportion to set up will balance the surface area and volume so you can isolate and reveal the height of the prism!

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