Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To fit inside the cuboidal space with a specific gap on all sides, the diameter must be less than the dimensions of the cuboid minus the required gaps.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The cuboid dimensions are: Length \(L = 24\) cm, Width \(W = 12\) cm, Height \(H = 17\) cm.
A gap of 1 cm must be left from each side. This means for each dimension, we lose \(1 + 1 = 2\) cm of available space.
1. Along the width: Max diameter \(\le 12 - 2 = 10\) cm.
2. Along the length: Max diameter \(\le 24 - 2 = 22\) cm.
3. Along the height: The bulb can be anywhere, but it's restricted by the narrower sides of the box.
The most restrictive dimension is the width (12 cm).
Thus, the maximum diameter possible is \(12 - 2 = 10\) cm.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The maximum diameter of the bulb is 10 cm.