Simplistic Surface Area Problem

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around a surface area problem involving a cylinder topped with a cone, both sharing the same base diameter. The participant initially calculated the surface area but found their result of approximately 234.834 inches squared did not match any provided answer options. It was identified that the formula used for the cylinder's surface area mistakenly included the area of both ends, which is incorrect since the cone covers one end. After this clarification, the participant acknowledged the error and expressed gratitude for the insight. This highlights the importance of correctly applying formulas in geometry problems.
apt403
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
I stumbled across a problem in one of my old math books, and the answer key is either wrong, or there's something I'm missing.

Homework Statement



All units are in inches.

Find the approx. surface area (in inches squared) of this object: A cylinder with a right circular cone on top of it, both with equal base diameters.

The diameter of the cone & cylinder base: d

The cone has a slant height modeled by: d - .6

The cylinder's height is modeled by: d + 4

Homework Equations



As given by the book:

Surface area of cone:

\pi r(r + l), where r is the radius and l is the slant height.

Surface area of cylinder:

2\pi r^2+2\pi rh, where r is the radius and h is the height.

The Attempt at a Solution



Cone surface area:

\pi (\frac {1}{2}d)((\frac {1}{2}d)+(d-.6))

Cylinder Surface Area:

2\pi ((\frac {1}{2}d))^2 + 2\pi (\frac {1}{2}d)(d + 4)

Combined formula:

\frac {299\pi}{4}

For the first problem, when d = 5, my possible answers (in inches squared) are 278, 196, 44, and 38. But I keep getting 234.834! I know it asks for an approximate number, but 234 is way off from any of the answers.

Any insight to what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
your formula for surface area of a cylinder includes the area of both ends. Since, here, you have the cone sitting on one end of the cylinder, you probably should not include that area.
 
HallsofIvy said:
your formula for surface area of a cylinder includes the area of both ends. Since, here, you have the cone sitting on one end of the cylinder, you probably should not include that area.

Yeah, that was my problem. Thanks a bunch.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
4K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
6K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K