# Question on cylinder calculation

1. Feb 3, 2006

I have this problem. Consider a cylinder

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I shine a laser beam on the cylinder to view a field that has the dimensions of (=) being 500 microns x 500 microns. The cylinder is say100,000 microns in length, 5,000 in width. I determine that 5 objects of R exist within the field of view of each (=) area for the entire cylinder. What is calculus equation that I should use to determine total number of R objects on the entire outside area of the cylinder ? Thanks for any help (ps/ not a homework question, a research question).

2. Feb 4, 2006

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
For a cylinder of length L, width W (the diameter of the cylinder), the are of the curved portion (Excluding the two ends. It's not clear whether you are including them or not) has area $\pi LW$ (If you do intend to include the ends, the total area is $\pi LW+ \pi\frac{W^2}{2}$). Divide that area by the area of your field of view (250000 square microns) and multiply by 5. I see no reason to use calculus.

Last edited: Feb 4, 2006
3. Feb 5, 2006