Step 1 :The volume of a rectangular box is given by the formula \(V = lwh\), where \(l\), \(w\), and \(h\) are the length, width, and height of the box, respectively. In this case, the original box has dimensions 2 in by 4 in by 4 in, so its volume is \(V = 2*4*4 = 32\) cubic inches.
Step 2 :The problem states that each dimension of the box is increased by the same amount, \(x\), to create a new box with volume seven times the old. This means the new box has dimensions \((2+x)\) in by \((4+x)\) in by \((4+x)\) in, and its volume is \(V' = (2+x)(4+x)(4+x) = 7*V = 7*32 = 224\) cubic inches.
Step 3 :We can set up the equation \((2+x)(4+x)(4+x) = 224\) and solve for \(x\).
Step 4 :The solution to the equation is a list of three complex numbers. However, in the context of this problem, the dimension of a box cannot be a complex number. Therefore, we need to find the real root of the equation.
Step 5 :Final Answer: The amount each dimension of the original box was increased to create the new box is approximately \(\boxed{2.82}\) inches.