Bunuel

In the rectangular solid depicted above, AB = 6, BC = 8, CD = 5, and AE > EB > 2. Which of the following could be possible values for the volume of the shaded area?
I. 150
II. 170
III. 180
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III
Some formulas which will help us:
1. Volume of the rectangular cube = length*width*height \(unit^3\) - here it is 6*8*5=240 \(cm^3\).
2. Volume of the unshaded triangular prism = area of the traingle*depth, where area of the triangle is 1/2 * base * height. Here the base is AE (let AE=x), height=8cm (same as BC) and depth is 5cm (same as CD). Therefore, the volume is 1/2 * x * 5 * 8 = 20x \(cm^3\).
We need to find x. We pick each option and validate this condition given AE>EB>2. Also given, AE+EB=AB=6cm.
Option I: if the volume of shaded area is 150 then the unshaded i.e. triangular prism's volume is 240-150=90.
now 20x=90 or, x=4.5, so AE=4.5 and EB=6-4.5=1.5 and AE>EB but EB is not greater than 2. Wrong.
Option II: 240-170=70.
20x=70 or, x=3.5. AE=3.5 and EB=6-3.5=2.5 so AE>EB and EB>2. Correct.
Option III: 240-18-=60.
20x=60 or, x=3. AE=3 and EB =6-3 =3 so AE is not greater than EB, however, EB>2. Wrong.
Only II is correct. Option (B).