Question

Seven cubes, whose volumes are $1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216,$ and $343$ cubic units, are stacked vertically to form a tower in which the volumes of the cubes decrease from bottom to top. Except for the bottom cube, the bottom face of each cube lies completely on top of the cube below it. What is the total surface area of the tower (including the bottom) in square units?

$644$

$658$

$664$

$720$

$749$

Solution:

The side lengths are $1, 2, \ldots, 7.$ The four side faces of cube $k$ contribute $4k^2,$ so the vertical faces total $4(1^2 + 2^2 + \cdots + 7^2) = 4 \cdot 140 = 560.$

Viewed from directly above, every upward-facing horizontal patch projects onto the $7 \times 7$ base without overlap, giving $49.$ Viewed from below, the same is true, giving another $49.$

The total surface area is $560 + 49 + 49 = 658.$

Thus, B is the correct answer.

2020 AMC 12A Problem 7

Solution:

Problem 7 in Other Years