Find the Minimum Volume of cone, answer does not make sense

Brown Arrow
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Homework Statement



Find the Dimensions of the right circular cone of minimum volume which can be circumscribed about a sphere of radius 8 inches.

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


So this is my try, i did the question to find the minimum volume of the cone,
2e2ibm9.jpg

For Larger Size: http://i54.tinypic.com/29yqyiw.jpg
As you can see the minimum value is when h=0 , thus volume is equal to 0, it makes sense the minimum volume would be 0, but i think i did the question wrong, can you tell me where I've gone wrong.

Please help
 
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Your picture shows a cone that is inscribed inside a sphere, not circumscribed outside as the problem asks.
 
so is it suppose to be like this then i try to minimize the volume of the cone,
mimqgo.jpg

sorry i didn't get what it meant mean circumscribed , i though it would be inside
 
Brown Arrow said:

Homework Statement



Find the Dimensions of the right circular cone of minimum volume which can be circumscribed about a sphere of radius 8 inches.

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


So this is my try, i did the question to find the minimum volume of the cone,
2e2ibm9.jpg

For Larger Size: http://i54.tinypic.com/29yqyiw.jpg
As you can see the minimum value is when h=0 , thus volume is equal to 0, it makes sense the minimum volume would be 0, but i think i did the question wrong, can you tell me where I've gone wrong.

Please help

Your calculation (given your drawing) is completely correct.
It's only your graphic interpretation with a parabola that is incorrect.
The volume is not given by a parabola but by a third power.
So the maximum volume is at h=32/3.
Btw, the volume becomes zero at h = 16, which is the solution for V=0.
 
Brown Arrow said:
so is it suppose to be like this then i try to minimize the volume of the cone,
mimqgo.jpg

sorry i didn't get what it meant mean circumscribed , i though it would be inside

Yes. But your picture needs a little work. The bottom of the sphere would touch the center of the base of the cone.
 
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