Surface Area of Cuboid: Find X When Area = 98 (Given Sides 4 and 9)

Surface Area Equations with Unknown Dimensions

Calculate X given that the surface area of the cuboid is 98.

49X

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find X
00:04 We'll use the formula for calculating the surface area of a box
00:11 2 times (sum of face areas)
00:16 We'll substitute appropriate values and solve for X
01:02 We'll solve each multiplication separately and sum
01:15 We'll properly expand brackets, multiply by each factor
01:28 We'll substitute the surface area value
01:31 We'll isolate X
01:44 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Calculate X given that the surface area of the cuboid is 98.

49X

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Substitute the known values into the surface area formula.

  • Step 2: Simplify the equation to solve for the unknown X X .

  • Step 3: Perform the necessary calculations to find X X .

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The given formula for the surface area of a cuboid is A=2(lw+lh+wh) A = 2(lw + lh + wh) . Here, l=X l = X , w=4 w = 4 , and h=9 h = 9 . The surface area is 98.
Step 2: Substitute into the formula:
98=2(X4+X9+49) 98 = 2(X \cdot 4 + X \cdot 9 + 4 \cdot 9) .
Simplify the expression:
98=2(4X+9X+36) 98 = 2(4X + 9X + 36) .
98=2(13X+36) 98 = 2(13X + 36) .
Next, expand the equation:
98=26X+72 98 = 26X + 72 .
Step 3: Solve for X X :
Subtract 72 from both sides:
9872=26X 98 - 72 = 26X .
26=26X 26 = 26X .
Divide both sides by 26:
X=2626 X = \frac{26}{26} .
Therefore, X=1 X = 1 .

In conclusion, the value of X X is 1 1 .

3

Final Answer

1

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Surface area of cuboid is A=2(lw+lh+wh) A = 2(lw + lh + wh)
  • Technique: Substitute known values: 98=2(4X+9X+36) 98 = 2(4X + 9X + 36)
  • Check: Verify X=1 X = 1 : 2(4+9+36)=98 2(4 + 9 + 36) = 98

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting to multiply by 2 in the surface area formula
    Don't calculate just lw+lh+wh=49 lw + lh + wh = 49 and think you're done! This gives you half the surface area. Always multiply the sum by 2 since each face appears twice on a cuboid.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

A cuboid is shown below:

222333555

What is the surface area of the cuboid?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we multiply by 2 in the surface area formula?

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A cuboid has 6 faces that come in 3 pairs. Each pair has the same area: 2 faces of area lw lw , 2 faces of area lh lh , and 2 faces of area wh wh .

What if I get a negative value for X?

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Length cannot be negative! If you get a negative answer, check your arithmetic - you likely made an error in substitution or solving the equation.

How do I know which dimension is which (length, width, height)?

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It doesn't matter which dimension you call length, width, or height! The surface area formula works the same way. Just be consistent with your labeling throughout the problem.

Can I solve this without expanding the brackets first?

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Yes! You could divide both sides by 2 first: 49=4X+9X+36 49 = 4X + 9X + 36 , then combine like terms. Both methods give X=1 X = 1 .

What does the diagram tell me about the cuboid?

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The diagram shows a 3D rectangular box with dimensions labeled. The blue edge is 4, the red edge is 9, and the green edge is X (what we need to find).

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