Finding Volume and Surface Area of a Banana Using Calculus

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The discussion focuses on calculating the volume and surface area of a banana using calculus techniques, specifically through the method of volumes of revolution. Participants traced the banana's shape, plotted points, and created equations for its cross-section, with the actual volume measured at 160 cm³ via water displacement. Initial attempts to find the volume involved integrating the area between two curves and using the formula for the area of a circle, but resulted in an unexpectedly high value of over 286 cubic units. The group acknowledges potential errors in their equations and has yet to begin calculating the surface area. The project highlights the application of calculus in real-world scenarios, particularly in modeling irregular shapes.
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Homework Statement


We are given a Banana, and asked to find the volume and surface area of the function, using calculus. So far, we have learned elementary calculus (derivatives, limits, and integrals) as well as volumes of revolutions. We traced the banana on graph paper, plotted points on the line, and created equations for the cross section of the banana. Here is the graph on desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/jfertkhwnv
We measured the actual volume of the banana, using a water displacement method. The actual volume of the banana is 160cm^3

Homework Equations


We are allowed to use any credible resource for equations online.

The Attempt at a Solution


So far, what we have tried is to find the integral between the two lines we traces, (the integral from one end to the other end of the banana, of f(x)-g(x).)(couldn't figure out how to put integral sign in thing.) We then multiplied that value by 1/2, to find the approximate radius. then the calculated radius was plugged into pi*r^2 equation, and we got a value that was incredibly high. Perhaps our equations were incorrect, but at this point, we do not know. We also need to find a method to find the surface area of the banana, however we have not started that phase of the project.
 
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For what it's worth, using your equations and assuming circular cross section for the banana I get a volume of a bit over ##286## cubic units.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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