Setting up an inequality with absolute value

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up an inequality involving absolute values related to the volume of a cube. The original poster seeks assistance in determining how accurately the sides of a cube must be measured to ensure the volume remains within 1% of 216 cm³.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the necessity of including absolute values in the inequality, questioning the implications of the 1% tolerance. There is an exploration of how to express the volume constraints mathematically, with some participants suggesting the use of cube roots and others considering the implications of volume changes on side length.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on how to set up the inequality. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for absolute values, and there is a recognition of the relationship between volume and side length. However, there is no explicit consensus on the final setup of the inequality.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is part of a practice sheet focused on absolute value functions, which may influence their approach to the problem. There is also mention of a requirement for participants to show some effort before receiving more direct help.

bnosam
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Homework Statement



I need some help setting up this inequality:
How accurate do the sides of a cube have to be measured if the volume of the cube has to be within 1% of 216 cm^3

Not very good with word problems and for some reason this course never deals with them until now? And this is the first practise question in the chapter on absolute functions.

Homework Equations



Not sure, I know it has to contain an absolute value though



The Attempt at a Solution




Any hints would be great
 
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bnosam said:

Homework Statement



I need some help setting up this inequality:
How accurate do the sides of a cube have to be measured if the volume of the cube has to be within 1% of 216 cm^3

Not very good with word problems and for some reason this course never deals with them until now? And this is the first practise question in the chapter on absolute functions.

Homework Equations



Not sure, I know it has to contain an absolute value though



The Attempt at a Solution




Any hints would be great

Why do you think it needs to include an absolute value? When they say 1%, they typically mean within +/- 1%.

Please try to start the problem. We cannot offer tutorial help until you show some effort. That is in the Rules link at the top of the page.
 
berkeman said:
Why do you think it needs to include an absolute value? When they say 1%, they typically mean within +/- 1%.

Please try to start the problem. We cannot offer tutorial help until you show some effort. That is in the Rules link at the top of the page.

It's part of the practise sheet titled "Absolute value functions" ;) That's what makes me think I need to have it in here.

Well 1% of a 216 is 2.16.

-2.16 < | x | < 2.16

Something like that look fine, I'm not very sure how to set it up at all, that's the best stab at it I could take
 
bnosam said:
It's part of the practise sheet titled "Absolute value functions" ;) That's what makes me think I need to have it in here.

Well 1% of a 216 is 2.16.

-2.16 < | x | < 2.16

Something like that look fine, I'm not very sure how to set it up at all, that's the best stab at it I could take

Okay, but it said that is the volume. What tolerance does each side have to have in order for the volume tolerance to be +/- 1%?
 
berkeman said:
Okay, but it said that is the volume. What tolerance does each side have to have in order for the volume tolerance to be +/- 1%?

A cube root?

## - \sqrt[3]{2.16} ≤ | x | ≤ \sqrt[3]{2.16} ##

Like that?
 
bnosam said:
A cube root?

## - \sqrt[3]{2.16} ≤ | x | ≤ \sqrt[3]{2.16} ##

Like that?
You're taking a shortcut which may or may not be warranted .

Let x be the length of each side of the cube .

If the cube's volume is exactly 216 cm3 , then \ x=\sqrt[3]{216\,}=6\,\text{cm}/ .

So basically you need to solve
(6+\Delta x)^3=216+2.16=218.16

and \ \ (6+\Delta x)^3=216-2.16=213.84\​
for Δx .
 
SammyS said:
You're taking a shortcut which may or may not be warranted .

Let x be the length of each side of the cube .

If the cube's volume is exactly 216 cm3 , then \ x=\sqrt[3]{216\,}=6\,\text{cm}/ .

So basically you need to solve
(6+\Delta x)^3=216+2.16=218.16

and \ \ (6+\Delta x)^3=216-2.16=213.84\​
for Δx .

The only real issue I kind of have with this is the fact, this needs to contain absolute value because the beginning of the page even says "Solve the following questions containing absolute value problems"
 
bnosam said:
The only real issue I kind of have with this is the fact, this needs to contain absolute value because the beginning of the page even says "Solve the following questions containing absolute value problems"

And the the absolute valueaspect is probably involved by this:

|+/- x| = ?
 

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