2009 AMC 10A Problem 11

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 11 of the 2009 AMC 10A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2009 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:difference of squares volume linear equation

Difficulty rating: 1100

11.

One dimension of a cube is increased by $1,$ another is decreased by $1,$ and the third is left unchanged. The volume of the new rectangular solid is $5$ less than that of the cube. What was the volume of the cube?

$8$

$27$

$64$

$125$

$216$

Solution:

Let the cube have side length $x.$ The new solid has volume $x(x+1)(x-1) = x^3 - x.$

Setting this equal to $x^3 - 5$ gives $x^3 - x = x^3 - 5,$ so $x = 5.$

The cube's volume is $5^3 = 125.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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