Calc height of cone with only volume and angle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the height of a cone given its volume and the internal angle at the vertex. Participants explore different approaches and mathematical reasoning related to the geometry of the cone, including the use of trigonometric relationships and volume formulas.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks guidance on calculating the height of a cone with a volume of 2.0 m³ and an internal angle of 60 degrees.
  • Another participant asks for the formula for the volume of a cone and requests to see the original poster's working.
  • One participant provides a detailed breakdown of the volume formula and the relationships between the radius, height, and the hypotenuse of the cone's cross-section, using trigonometric identities.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of clarifying which angle is 60 degrees and suggests an alternative method using the properties of an equilateral triangle.
  • Participants calculate the radius and height based on the derived relationships, arriving at specific numerical values for both dimensions.
  • One participant checks the calculated values against the volume formula to verify correctness and seeks confirmation of their calculations.
  • Another participant reiterates the relationship between the radius and height, suggesting a different perspective on the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to solving the problem and arrive at similar numerical results for the height and radius. However, there are multiple methods discussed, and the discussion does not reach a consensus on a single best approach.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the geometry of the cone and the definitions of angles may not be explicitly stated, which could affect the interpretations of the calculations. The discussion includes various mathematical steps that remain unresolved or unverified by all participants.

rustys111
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hi all,

Ive been sitting up so late trying to work something out.

If anyone could help that would be great.

How do i calculate the height of a cone if the internal angle of the cone at the top vertex is 60degrees and the total volume for the cone is 2.0m3?

this is just a example - if you could guide me in the correct path and give me a quick awser so i can check my workings that would be great.

Thanks all
 
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What are the formulae for volume of a cone? (Forum rule: no help without you showing your working - you say you have some, so what have you done?)
 
No worries

Given V = 2 internal angle at vertex = 60

volume = 1/3*Pi*r^2*h

Draw cone cross section - dive into two triangles to make a right angled tri

Angles in tri = 90, 60 & 30

S = hyp of right angled tri

therefore
using Angle 60

r = Scos60
h = Ssin60

v = 1/3 * Pi*r^2*h
2 = 1/3 * Pi * (Scos60)^2 * (Ssin60)

(2*3)/pi = (Scos60)^2 * (Ssin60)

Sqr((2*3)/pi) = Scos60 * Sqr(S) * Sqr(Sin60)

(Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60) = Scos60 * Sqr(S)

((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60 = S * Sqr(S)

(((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60) ^2 = S^2 * S

(((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60) ^2 = S^3

((((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60) ^2) ^ 1/3 = S

solve for S = 2.0662216704972 (Accuracy required)

input back in

r = Scos60
h = Ssin60

Radius (r)= 1.03311083738979
Height (h)= 1.78940045526428

Check
Place back into equation for volume
V = 1/3*Pi*r^2 *h
V = 2

Am i correct?
Thats what i need to know

Is there any other way about this??
 
Last edited:
rustys111 said:
No worries

Given V = 2 internal angle at vertex = 60

volume = 1/3*Pi*r^2*h

Draw cone cross section - dive into two triangles to make a right angled tri

Angles in tri = 90, 60 & 30

S = hyp of right angled tri

therefore
using Angle 60

r = Scos60
h = Ssin60
You should state which angle is 60! Dividing the cross section into two right triangles, you have angles of 60 and 30 degrees. I normally think about the vertex angle but you are using a base angle- that confused me for a moment!

Another way to do this is to recognize that since 60 degrees gives an equilateral triangle, dividing into two triangles gives a right triangle with hypotenuse of length S and one leg of length S/2 (the radius of the cone). By the pythagorean theorem, S^2= h^2+ S^2/4 so h^2= (3/4)S^2 and h= (\sqrt{3}/2)S.

Since r= S/2 and h= (\sqrt{3}/2)S, dividing the first equation by the second, we have r= h/\sqrt{3}

v = 1/3 * Pi*r^2*h
2 = 1/3 * Pi * (Scos60)^2 * (Ssin60)

(2*3)/pi = (Scos60)^2 * (Ssin60)

Sqr((2*3)/pi) = Scos60 * Sqr(S) * Sqr(Sin60)

(Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60) = Scos60 * Sqr(S)

((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60 = S * Sqr(S)

(((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60) ^2 = S^2 * S

(((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60) ^2 = S^3

((((Sqr((2*3)/pi) / sqr(sin60)) /cos60) ^2) ^ 1/3 = S

solve for S = 2.0662216704972 (Accuracy required)

input back in

r = Scos60
h = Ssin60

Radius (r)= 1.03311083738979
Height (h)= 1.78940045526428

Check
Place back into equation for volume
V = 1/3*Pi*r^2 *h
V = 2

Am i correct?
Thats what i need to know

Is there any other way about this??
As above r= (1/\sqrt{3})h.

V= (1/3)\pi r^2 h= (1/3)\pi (1/3)h^3= \pi/9 h^3= 2
h^3= 18/\pi= 5.73
h= 1.79[/tex]<br /> Just what you have.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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