Thread: Percentage increase in a volume

1. Percentage increase in a volume

Trish's rectangular suitcase is 12 inches wide, 20 inches long, and 6 inches log. She is considering buying a new suitcase with dimensions that are doubling her original suitcase. By how much will the volume of her suitcase increase if she buys the new one?

I got 700%

2. Originally Posted by NYCKid09
Trish's rectangular suitcase is 12 inches wide, 20 inches long, and 6 inches log. She is considering buying a new suitcase with dimensions that are doubling her original suitcase. By how much will the volume of her suitcase increase if she buys the new one?

I got 700%
Volume of suitcase 1 $= 12 x 20 x 6 = 1440 in^3$

Volume of suitcase 2 $= 24 x 40 x 12 = 11520 in^3$

$11520 - 1440 = 10080 in^3$ increase in volume

3. I know, but whats the percentage increase

I got 700

4. Originally Posted by NYCKid09
I know, but whats the percentage increase

I got 700
How did you get 700%?

5. Originally Posted by mollymcf2009
How did you get 700%?
700% is correct.

In general, since volume depends on $length^3$ doubling every length will multiply the volume by $2^3= 8$. That means the amount of increase is 7 times the original volume or 700%.