Math Is Fun Forum

Noeon

Guest

Geometry

I am asking for help because I am still learning math namely geometry and well, the problem I am having is a little outside of my understanding.

I will try to explain my problem in a way that people on this forum can assist.

We are dealing with a 3D Cube and we would like to find the amount of smaller cubes which would be required to fill a larger cube.
To figure this out we would determine the surface area y/n? then if that is true what would be the next step?

I am a complete novice in math and wish to learn more,

Thank you.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Geometry

Hi;

When you say smaller cubes what exactly do you mean? Are they all the same size? Are they unit cubes?

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Noeon

Member

Registered: 2014-08-11

Posts: 3

Re: Geometry

All the same size + cube units would be the answer to your question.
for this first section of my issue I choose to use this equation
(I don't know if it is correct or not but it is something I thought of i used the surface area as my starting point and divided it by the length of cubes I wanted to fit within the structure)

X = the length of the cubes edge which the larger cube will be made of.

For example:
Edge = 18cm
X= .6cm

Am I correct in my assumption?

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Geometry

Hi;

If one of the edges of the cube is 18 cm and you want to know how many 1 cm cubes can be inside it why would you not just compute the volume of the cube?

18 cm x 18 cm x 18 cm = 5832 cm^3, therefore 5832 cubes of 1 cm can be fit inside.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Noeon

Member

Registered: 2014-08-11

Posts: 3

Re: Geometry

Well I am not sure how that would work out if I were to have a less then 1cm cube, as per the example I gave in my equation.
Are you saying that

would normally = the amount of 1cm cubes which would fit into it? There for I would be dividing the volume instead of the surface area?

Last edited by Noeon (2014-08-12 16:00:50)

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,643

Re: Geometry

hi Noeon

Yes, that's it.  You don't need the surface area at all.  Try google images for "volume of cube". 

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

Noeon

Member

Registered: 2014-08-11

Posts: 3

Re: Geometry

Okay, thats good to know thanks , however still does not answer my question regarding inner cubes which are under 1cm, could you show me an example?
May I assume:

x being the measurement of the inner cubes if lower then 1cm?
y being of course, the end result?

^Now I just googled images and saw the pictures I assume you wanted me to see.  It makes a bit more sense, so many I assume that no cube could ever have less then 1:1 of the volume? so whatever goes into my

would be the measurement of the volume? Are there any volume formulas which calculate backwards? for example if you had the measurement of an object and you wanted to find out how many would be required to make a larger version.

Last edited by Noeon (2014-08-12 23:10:15)

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: Geometry

Assuming y is the number of cubes, the formula is y=e^3/x^3.

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