Ginger has 12 plastic bead containers. the containers measure 1 inch on each side. how many rectangular prisms each with a different sized base, could ginger make by stacking all the bead containers?

The volume of each of the plastic bead is determine by multiplying the length, width, and height of the prism which are all equal to 1 in. The volume is therefore equal to 1 in³. The total volume of the 12 plastic beads is 12 in³. To determine the number of rectangular prisms formed, we just have to combine numbers with product of 12. These are,

Height = 1 in 12 x 1 x 1 = 12 in³

6 x 2 x 1 = 12 in³

4 x 3 x 1 = 12 in³

Height = 2 in

6 x 1 x 2 = 12 in³

2 x 3 x 2 = 12 in³

height = 3 in

2 x 2 x 3 = 12 in³

Height = 4 in

3 x 1 x 4 = 12 in³

Thus, the answer is 7.