Answer:
The dimensions are four by two by two meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The volume for a rectangular prism is given by:
[tex]V=\ell wh[/tex]
Where l is the length (or depth), w is the width, and h is the height.
Since the height and width are both two meters less than the depth, we can write that:
[tex]h=\ell -2\text{ and } w = \ell -2[/tex]
We are also given that the total volume is 16 cubic meters. Substitute:
[tex]16=\ell(\ell -2)(\ell -2)[/tex]
Expand:
[tex]16=\ell(\ell^2 -4\ell +4)[/tex]
Distribute:
[tex]16=\ell ^3-4\ell ^2+4\ell[/tex]
Isolate the equation. So:
[tex]\ell ^3-4\ell ^2+4\ell -16=0[/tex]
We can factor by grouping. From the first two terms, factor out a l² and from the last two terms, factor out a 4:
[tex]\ell ^2(\ell -4)+4(\ell -4)=0[/tex]
Factor:
[tex](\ell ^2+4)(\ell -4)=0[/tex]
Zero Product Property:
[tex]\ell ^2+4=0\text{ or } \ell - 4=0[/tex]
Solve for each case:
[tex]\ell^2=-4\text{ or } \ell =4[/tex]
Since we cannot take the square root of a negative number, we can ignore the first case.
Therefore, the length (or depth) of the storage space is four meters.
Thus, the dimensions are four by two by two meters.
