Constructing a Cubical Box to Within 3 cm3

[synergix]

Homework Statement

a) A cubical box is to be built so that it holds 125 cm³. How precisely should the edge be made so
that the volume will be corrected to within 3 cm³?

The Attempt at a Solution

I am not sure even what this is asking exactly could someone decode if they have seen a similar problem before?

 

[Dick]

Yeah, it's just a differential problem, I think. V=a^3, so dV=3*a^2*da. If a=5cm then V=125cm^3. You are given dV=3cm^3. Solve for da. It's an approximate solution for how large the variation in a can be and still give you a V between 128cm^3 and 122cm^3. Approximate, mind you.

 

[synergix]

I thought that the question might be asking something like that but it seemed kind of strange to me. thanks