Ratio volume of cylinder inside cone

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SUMMARY

The volume of an upright cylinder inscribed in an upright cone is conclusively shown to be 4/9 times the volume of the cone. This is derived using the principles of similar triangles and differentiation. The key equations involved are the volume formulas for both the cone and the cylinder, alongside the relationship established through similarity: (H-h)/h = r/R, where H is the height of the cone, h is the height of the cylinder, r is the radius of the cylinder, and R is the radius of the cone. By substituting and differentiating the volume equation, the optimal dimensions for the cylinder can be determined.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of volume formulas for cones and cylinders
  • Familiarity with the principles of similar triangles
  • Knowledge of differentiation techniques
  • Basic algebra for substitution and equation manipulation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the volume of a cone and a cylinder
  • Learn about optimization techniques in calculus, specifically using differentiation
  • Explore the application of similar triangles in geometric proofs
  • Practice problems involving inscribed shapes and their volume ratios
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Students studying calculus, geometry enthusiasts, and educators looking for insights into geometric optimization problems.

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Homework Statement


Show that the volume of an upright cylinder that can be inscribe in an upright cone is 4/9 times the volume of cone


Homework Equations


volume of cone
volume of cylinder
differentiation ??
similarity of triangle


The Attempt at a Solution


I draw the picture of cylinder inside a cone and by using similarity of triangle I got:
(H-h) / h = r / R
where: H = height of cone, h = height of cylinder, r = radius of cylinder, R = radius of cone

But I can't find the answer. The final form I can get is:
Vcylinder / Vcone = 3 (H - h)2/(Hh)

I encountered this problem in differentiation chapter. How to use differentiation to solve this problem?

Thanks
 
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yes, you are correct using similarity of triangle. After that you have to use the differentiation to optimize cylinder's volume, dV_c = 0.

Subsitute for h from the ratio into above eqn, to get the radius of cylinder.

and, finally you can proof it the ratio for cylinder's volume to cone.
 
lepton5 said:
yes, you are correct using similarity of triangle. After that you have to use the differentiation to optimize cylinder's volume, dV_c = 0.

Subsitute for h from the ratio into above eqn, to get the radius of cylinder.

and, finally you can proof it the ratio for cylinder's volume to cone.

From (H-h) / h = r / R ==> r = R (H-h) / h

Vcylinder=πr2h , substitute r from above equation
=πR2(H-h)2 / h

Assume R and H are constant and differentiating with respect to h
dV / dh = 0
-2πR2(H-h)h - πR2(H-h)2=0

After a little work, -h = H ? :cry:
 
It's more simple if you substitue for h, since h in eqn of cylinder volume is not quadratic form.

so subs h = H - \frac{H}{R} . r to volume of cylinder.


then optimize it, the differential is more simple with this way.
 
lepton5 said:
It's more simple if you substitue for h, since h in eqn of cylinder volume is not quadratic form.

so subs h = H - \frac{H}{R} . r to volume of cylinder.


then optimize it, the differential is more simple with this way.

I can't find the answer because the my equation obtained from similarity of triangle is different than yours. I don't know how to obtain your equation. Can you explain it a little bit more because from similarity I got (H-h) / h = r / R

Thanks
 
use this one, \frac{H - h}{H} = \frac{r}{R}.


you are wrong when you use h as denominator at left side, since you have equate it with R (radius of cone) you must also use H (height of cone).

can you see : big triangle vs little triangle (from top of cone).
 
lepton5 said:
use this one, \frac{H - h}{H} = \frac{r}{R}.


you are wrong when you use h as denominator at left side, since you have equate it with R (radius of cone) you must also use H (height of cone).

can you see : big triangle vs little triangle (from top of cone).

Ahh, why don't I realize it. Thanks :smile:
 

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