Finding surface area with volume

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the calculation of the minimum surface area of a cylindrical object, specifically a pop can, given its volume of 350 ml. The subject area includes concepts from calculus and geometry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between volume and surface area, with attempts to derive a function for surface area based on the given volume. Questions arise regarding the minimization of this function and the role of derivatives in finding critical points.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with participants providing guidance on the need to differentiate the surface area function and set the derivative to zero to find minimum values. Some participants question the relevance of density in this context, while others clarify that the problem focuses solely on surface area calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster's problem was posted in an incorrect section of the forum, and there is a mention of ensuring units are consistent for the calculations involved.

ahmedb
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Ok, so I did a test today for advance functions and there was a question: the volume of a pop can is 350ml, find the minimum surface area and determine the dimensions.
Where I got stuck:

350=pi(r)^2*h
h=350/pi(r)^2

SA= 2pi(r)^2+2pi(r)(h)
SA= 2pi(r)^2+2pi(r)(350/pi(r)^2)

=(2(pi(r)^3+350))/(pi(r))

I'm stuck here :S
 
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How do I [STRIKE]shot web[/STRIKE] er, minimize function? Doesn't it have to do with the derivative having a certain value?
 
Hey ahmedb and welcome to the forums.

One thing you should be aware of is that volume is cubic metres (or centimetres or inches or some other unit of length) so you need to convert the liquid quantity to volume by looking at the density.

As Muphrid pointed out above, you want to look into finding a minimum which has a direct correspondence to the derivative being zero.
 
This problem has nothing to do with density. You simply need to find the minimum value for the surface area function you came up with. To do this, you find the derivative of your SA function with respect to r, and set it to 0.
 
Nessdude14 said:
This problem has nothing to do with density. You simply need to find the minimum value for the surface area function you came up with. To do this, you find the derivative of your SA function with respect to r, and set it to 0.

If you want things in the right units, this is a critical step.
 
ahmedb,
Homework problems should be posted in the Homework & Coursework section, not in the math technical section.

I am moving your post.
 
chiro said:
Hey ahmedb and welcome to the forums.

One thing you should be aware of is that volume is cubic metres (or centimetres or inches or some other unit of length) so you need to convert the liquid quantity to volume by looking at the density.

As Muphrid pointed out above, you want to look into finding a minimum which has a direct correspondence to the derivative being zero.

Nessdude14 said:
This problem has nothing to do with density. You simply need to find the minimum value for the surface area function you came up with. To do this, you find the derivative of your SA function with respect to r, and set it to 0.

chiro said:
If you want things in the right units, this is a critical step.
No, it isn't. Liquid quantity is volume. Nothing in this problem has anything to do with density, weight, or mass.
 
Yeah you're right: I was under the impression that it was in another unit. My apologies.
 
Happens to me all the time!
 

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