Math POW Solution from Feb, 28th

Thus we see that the box which is a cube requires the least amount of cardboard. (This is true
for any rectangular box of fi xed volume, even when the side lengths are not whole numbers,
but the proof requires more advanced mathematics.) There are other possible boxes because the side lengths must be whole numbers, and the base of the box must be some integer multiple of 12 cm by 6 cm (to have no empty space), with a total volume of 24 x 72 cubic centimetres,
there are only a limited number of possibilities.
Extension:
1. Since the 24 mp3 players will exactly fit in 2 vertical rows of 12 in a 12 cm by 12 cm by 12 cm
box, the 'minimal' box will be the same as for horizontal packing. Note that this only works
because a row of 12 mp3 players packed vertically is 6 cm by 12 cm by 12 cm, which is exactly
the same as a column (stack) of 12 mp3 players packed horizontally, due to the thickness being
1 cm.