Quote:
The greatest possible (straight line) distance, in inches, between any two points on a certain cube is 10. If the cube is modified so that its length is doubled and its width is doubled while its height remains unchanged, then what is the greatest possible (straight line) distance, in inches, between any two points on the modified box?
A. 10√2
B. 10√3
C. 20
D. 30
E. 30√3
The longest distance in a cube is a diagonal connecting opposite faces, it's given by √3a, where a is the side of the cube.
So, it's given to us that √3a = 10 for a cube, which means, the side of the cube is a = 10/√3.
Now length and width of the cube are doubled.
Dimension of the new cuboid formed are
l = 20/√3, w = 20/√3, h = 10/√3
Now, similar formula for the longest straight line distance (let it be d) between any two points in a cuboid is
d = √(l^2 + w^2 + h^2), substituting values for l, w and h, we get
d = √(400/3 + 400/3 + 100/3)
d = √(900/3)
d = √300 = 10√3
Hence, correct answer is B) 10√3