Optimization question - optimal conical container

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing an optimal conical container with a cover that holds a volume of 0.5 m³, focusing on minimizing the surface areas of its base and sides. The conversation includes mathematical expressions related to the geometry of the cone.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulas for the areas of the sides and base of the cone, as well as the volume formula.
  • One participant seeks clarification on the variable 's', which represents the slant height of the conical container.
  • Another participant provides definitions for the variables r (radius), h (height), and s (slant height) in the context of the conical container.
  • A participant requests an expression for the total surface area in terms of a single variable, suggesting a need to relate the areas to the volume.
  • There is a discussion on expressing 's' in terms of r and h, with one participant stating that s = √(r² + h²).
  • Participants are encouraged to write out the formulas for area and volume and explore relationships between them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of the variables and the formulas involved, but there is no consensus on the optimal approach to express the total area in terms of one variable or the best method to minimize the surface area.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the relationships between the variables and how to effectively minimize the surface area while adhering to the volume constraint.

miss dhia
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Design the optimal conical container that has a cover and has walls of negligible thickness. The container is to hold 0.5 m^3. Design it so that the areas of its base and sides are minimized.

information :
1) areas of the sides = (pi) x r x s
2) areas of the base = (pi) x (r^2)
3)volume of the cone = (1/3) x (pi) x (r^2) x h
 
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welcome to pf!

hi miss dhia! welcome to pf! :smile:

(have a pi: π and try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)
miss dhia said:
1) areas of the sides = (pi) x r x s
2) areas of the base = (pi) x (r^2)
3)volume of the cone = (1/3) x (pi) x (r^2) x h

what is s ? :wink:
 
hye tiny-tim! thanks for your concern on this question..

for your information, i am attaching the picture of the conical container..may help you to solve this question..thanks in advance! ;)
 

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  • editconical.jpg
    editconical.jpg
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ooppss tiny-tim, i am forgotten to tell you what is r, h, and s actually.

actually,
s = side of the conical container (shown in picture).
r = radius of conical container (shown in picture).
h = height of the conical container (shown in picture)
 
miss dhia said:
Design the optimal conical container that has a cover and has walls of negligible thickness. The container is to hold 0.5 m^3. Design it so that the areas of its base and sides are minimized.

information :
1) areas of the sides = (pi) x r x s
2) areas of the base = (pi) x (r^2)
3)volume of the cone = (1/3) x (pi) x (r^2) x h

Using your information can you get an expression for the total area in terms of one other variable?
 
hi miss dhia! :smile:
tiny-tim said:
what is s ? :wink:
miss dhia said:
s = side of the conical container (shown in picture).

actually, i meant what is s in terms of r and h?

you need to convert it so that all three areas are written in r and h, and you can easily add them :wink:
 
hye tiny-tim!

s = \sqrt{r^{} + h^{}}

i don't know how to put the "surd". sorry ok. :)

in the above equation, i do mean, s = surd(r^2 + h^2).
 
hye miss dhia! :wink:

yup, s = √(r2 + h2) …

ok, now write out the formulas for A and for V,

and see if you can find a relationship between them :smile:
 

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