There is a rectangular tin 2cm by 3cm at the base, 2cm deep and open at the top.
It is filled with water to a depth of .4cm.
Twelve 1cm steel cubes are placed in the tin one by one. The first six form a single layer at the bottom. The next six form a second layer.

To what height does the water level rise after the placement of each cube?
Assume the cubes fit together tightly, leaving no spaces.

You peolple are all missing the point.  It says the six form a layer.  There is no question of whether the 6th or the 12th fit. - they do in this problem.  They would also fill the container, so all of the water would rise over the edge.  If the cubes floated on the water then the cubes would be above the top edge, but that too is not how the problem is stated.  The answer is:  the water would rise 1/6 of .4cm = .0666666cm   "... after the placement of each cube".

Posted by JAMES on 2006-05-18 20:26:39