An artist needs to design a six-foot tall stone platform to hold a statue for a park. Which of these shapes will use the least amount of stone? (Hint: You need to find the base area for each shape.)

A. A rectangular prism with a base of 7 ft by 3 ft and a height of 6 ft

B. A rectangular prism with a base of 5 ft by 6 ft and a height of 6 ft

C. A rectangular prism with a base of 6 ft by 5 ft and a height of 6 ft

D. A rectangular prism with a base of 4 ft by 6 ft and a height of 6 ft



Answer :

To determine which rectangular prism will use the least amount of stone, we need to compare the base areas of the two prisms. Here's a step-by-step solution:

1. Identify the dimensions of both shapes:
- The first rectangular prism has a base of 7 feet by 3 feet and a height of 6 feet.
- The second rectangular prism has a base of 5 feet by 6 feet and a height of 6 feet.

2. Calculate the base area of each shape:
- For the first prism:
- Length = 7 feet
- Width = 3 feet
- Base Area = Length × Width = 7 feet × 3 feet = 21 square feet

- For the second prism:
- Length = 5 feet
- Width = 6 feet
- Base Area = Length × Width = 5 feet × 6 feet = 30 square feet

3. Compare the base areas:
- The base area of the first prism is 21 square feet.
- The base area of the second prism is 30 square feet.

4. Determine the shape that uses the least amount of stone:
- Since the base area of the first prism (21 square feet) is less than the base area of the second prism (30 square feet), the first rectangular prism will use the least amount of stone.

Therefore, the rectangular prism with a base of 7 feet by 3 feet and a height of 6 feet will use the least amount of stone.