DSQ: Understanding measurement - GMAT Quantitative

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Question

You are given a metal cube whose volume can be given by a whole number of cubic meters. What is its volume?

Statement 1: Each edge of the cube has length between 160 and 180 centimeters, inclusive.

Statement 2: The surface area of the cube is between 1,350 square decimeters and 1,944 square decimeters, inclusive.

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Answer

Assume Statement 1 alone. Each edge of the cube has length between 160 centimeters and 180 centimeters; since one meter is equal to 100 centimeters, the length of one edge falls between 1.6 meters and 1.8 meters. Its volume therefore falls between

cubic meters

and

cubic meters.

The only whole number of meters that falls between these boundaries is 5 meters, so the question is answered.

Assume Statement 2 alone. The minimum surface area of the cube is 1,350 square decimeters, so, to find the minumum length of an edge, use the surface area formula, setting :

decimeters; divide by 10 (decimeters per meter) to convert to 1.5 meters.

Similarly, to get the maximum edge length, set :

decimeters; divide by 10 to get 1.8 meters.

The volume of the cube therefore falls between

cubic meters

and

cubic meters.

This leaves us with two possible whole number answers, 4 and 5, so the question is not answered.

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