MHB How to Maximize the Volume of a Cylinder with a Given Perimeter?

Click For Summary
To maximize the volume of a cylinder formed from a rectangle with a perimeter of 400 cm, the relationship between the radius (r) and height (h) is established as h = 200 - r. The volume is expressed as V = πr^2(200 - r), which simplifies to V = π(200r^2 - r^3). Differentiating this function leads to V' = π(400r - 3r^2), setting the stage for finding critical points to maximize volume. Ultimately, the optimal dimensions are determined to be l = (2S)/3 and h = S/3, ensuring maximum volume for the cylinder.
Noah1
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
it is given that the perimeter of the rectangle is (80 + 120 + 80 + 120) = 400 cm From this you need to make a cylinder with maximin volume:
400 = 2r + 2h
2h = 400 - 2r
h = 200 - r .
We wish to MAXIMIZE the total VOLUME of the resulting CYLINDER
V = πr^2 h
However, before we differentiate the right-hand side, we will write it as a function of r only. Substitute for h getting
V = πr^2 h
V = πr^2 (200-r)
V = π(200r^2-r^3 )
Now differentiate this equation, getting
V’ = π(200r^2-r^3 )
V’ = π(400r-3r^2 )

- - - Updated - - -

Noah said:
it is given that the perimeter of the rectangle is (80 + 120 + 80 + 120) = 400 cm From this you need to make a cylinder with maximin volume:
400 = 2r + 2h
2h = 400 - 2r
h = 200 - r .
We wish to MAXIMIZE the total VOLUME of the resulting CYLINDER
V = πr^2 h
However, before we differentiate the right-hand side, we will write it as a function of r only. Substitute for h getting
V = πr^2 h
V = πr^2 (200-r)
V = π(200r^2-r^3 )
Now differentiate this equation, getting
V’ = π(200r^2-r^3 )
V’ = π(400r-3r^2 )

At this point I don't know where to go from here to solve for r
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
If the dimensions of the rectangle are already given, then we only have 2 choices:

$$V_1=\pi\left(\frac{80}{2\pi}\right)^2120$$

$$V_2=\pi\left(\frac{120}{2\pi}\right)^280$$
 
Noah said:
It is given that the perimeter of the rectangle is 400 cm.
From this you need to make a cylinder with maximin volume:
I interpret this problem as follows:

There is a sheet of paper with a perimeter of 400 cm.
We will "roll" the sheet into a cylinder.
Find the dimensions of the paper which produces the cylinder of maximum volume.

This version requires a bit more work . . .


 
If we are free to choose the dimensions of the rectangle, so long as the perimeter is a certain value, then consider the diagram:

http://www.ekshiksha.org.in/Image_Surface_Areas_and_Volumes_IX/8.png

Let $S$ be the semi-perimeter (a constant), so that we have:

$$l+h=S$$

The volume of the resulting cylinder is:

$$V=\pi\left(\frac{l}{2\pi}\right)^2h=\frac{1}{4\pi}l^2h$$

At this point we may choose which of the variables we wish to replace, and since $l$ is being squared, for simplicity let's replace $h$:

$$V=\frac{1}{4\pi}l^2(S-l)=\frac{1}{4\pi}\left(Sl^2-l^3\right)$$

Hence, we now have the volume as a function of one variable $l$:

$$V(l)=\frac{1}{4\pi}\left(Sl^2-l^3\right)$$

We may ignore the constant $$\frac{1}{4\pi}$$ and simply optimise:

$$f(l)=Sl^2-l^3$$

So, taking the first derivative, and equating to zero, we obtain:

$$f'(l)=2Sl-3l^2=l\left(2S-3l\right)=0$$

From this, we obtain the two critical values:

$$l=0,\,\frac{2S}{3}$$

Now, if we utilize the second derivative test, on computing $f''$, we obtain:

$$f''(l)=2S-6l$$

And we find:

$$f''(0)=2S>0$$ This critical value is at a relative minimum.

$$f''\left(\frac{2S}{3}\right)=-2S<0$$ This critical value is at a relative maximum.

So, in order to maximize the volume of the cylinder, we require:

$$l=\frac{2S}{3}$$

$$h=\frac{S}{3}$$

Does that make sense?
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K