Math Problem Statement

Determine the sum of all possible surface area of a cube two of whose vertices are ( 1, 2, 0 ) and (3, 3, 2 )

Solution

We are tasked with determining the sum of all possible surface areas of a cube where two of its vertices are given: (1,2,0)(1, 2, 0) and (3,3,2)(3, 3, 2). To solve this, we need to find the edge length of the cube, and from that, we can calculate the surface area.

Step 1: Calculate the distance between the two vertices

The distance between two points (x1,y1,z1)(x_1, y_1, z_1) and (x2,y2,z2)(x_2, y_2, z_2) in 3-dimensional space is given by the formula:

d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2+(z2z1)2d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2 + (z_2 - z_1)^2}

Substituting the coordinates of the two vertices (1,2,0)(1, 2, 0) and (3,3,2)(3, 3, 2):

d=(31)2+(32)2+(20)2d = \sqrt{(3 - 1)^2 + (3 - 2)^2 + (2 - 0)^2} d=22+12+22=4+1+4=9=3d = \sqrt{2^2 + 1^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{4 + 1 + 4} = \sqrt{9} = 3

So, the distance between the two vertices is 3.

Step 2: Determine the edge length of the cube

In a cube, the distance between any two opposite vertices (also known as the space diagonal) is related to the edge length aa by the following formula:

ddiagonal=a3d_{\text{diagonal}} = a\sqrt{3}

We know that the distance between two vertices is 3, so:

a3=3a\sqrt{3} = 3

Solving for aa:

a=33=3a = \frac{3}{\sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{3}

Thus, the edge length of the cube is 3\sqrt{3}.

Step 3: Calculate the surface area of the cube

The surface area AA of a cube with edge length aa is given by the formula:

A=6a2A = 6a^2

Substituting a=3a = \sqrt{3}:

A=6(3)2=6×3=18A = 6(\sqrt{3})^2 = 6 \times 3 = 18

Final Answer:

The surface area of the cube is 1818 square units.

Do you have any questions or need further details?

Here are some related questions you might find useful:

  1. How do you find the volume of a cube if the edge length is known?
  2. What is the relationship between the diagonal of a cube and its edge length?
  3. Can the surface area formula be applied to other polyhedra?
  4. How does changing the edge length affect the surface area of a cube?
  5. What are the properties of the space diagonal in other 3D geometric shapes?

Tip: The space diagonal of a cube is longer than the face diagonal by a factor of 3\sqrt{3}. This can help distinguish between different types of diagonals in geometry problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
3D Shapes
Distance Formula
Surface Area

Formulas

Distance formula: d = √[(x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2 + (z2 - z1)^2]
Space diagonal of a cube: d_diagonal = a√3
Surface area of a cube: A = 6a^2

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem (used in the distance formula)
Cube Diagonal-Edge Length Relationship

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12