What is the Volume of a Hershey Kiss Using Calculus?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the volume of a Hershey Kiss using calculus, specifically through the method of rotation around the x-axis. Participants are exploring the geometric properties and mathematical modeling required to approach this problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to determine the slope of the Hershey Kiss to use in their volume calculation but expresses uncertainty about the appropriate equation. Some participants suggest measuring the dimensions and drawing a diagram to aid understanding. Others propose that the shape does not conform to a simple cone and recommend alternative modeling approaches.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some offering guidance on modeling the shape and questioning the assumptions about its geometry. Multiple interpretations of the shape and its mathematical representation are being explored, but there is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific measurements and properties of the Hershey Kiss, including its weight and dimensions, which may influence the modeling approach. The discussion also reflects a need for clarity on the assumptions regarding the shape's geometry.

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Volume of a Hershey Kiss!

Homework Statement



Alright, so me and my lab partner need to use calculus to find the volume of a hershey kiss...

We will take the slope of the side, and rotate it around the x-axis by finding the integral to find the volume...only problem is, we don't know the slope equation for the hershey kiss! Any help?

We need the same diameter of the base...


Homework Equations



Integral equation for revolution by x axis

Need limits

The Attempt at a Solution



We need to find the slope first...

So far we found the most similar equation to be x=y^y
 
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Measure it. What is the radius of the base? How tall is it? Drawing a picture is always important.
 


Integral said:
Measure it. What is the radius of the base? How tall is it? Drawing a picture is always important.

measured it, plotted points on graphing cal...looked like a straight line, not a curve
 


You don't need a slope because it varies; Hershey's kisses don't look like cones.

Try modeling it with something something like this around the y=axis after scaling it properly:

y = 1 + (1-x)^{\frac 1 3} - x^{\frac 1 3}
 


LCKurtz said:
You don't need a slope because it varies; Hershey's kisses don't look like cones.

Try modeling it with something something like this around the y=axis after scaling it properly:

y = 1 + (1-x)^{\frac 1 3} - x^{\frac 1 3}

Eh I'm sorry, I meant derivative...we'll take the integral volume equation of the derivative
 


Hershey's website lists the weight as 41 grams per 9 pieces, so one Kiss weighs 41/9 grams, or 4.55 grams. Since 1 gram is 1/454 of a pound, each kiss weighs 4.55/454 pounds, or 1/100 pound. That's your mass.

The shape of a Kiss is a cone, which requires two measurements, radius and height.

According to the marylandmommy site, the diameter of the base of a Kiss is .819 inches, and the height is the same as the diameter.

So radius is .819/2 or 0.4095 inches, and height is .819 inches.

The formula for the volume of a cone is (1/3) * pi * r^2 * h, where r is radius and h is height. Plug in your measurements and do the arithmetic:

Volume = (1/3) * 3.1416 * .4095*.4095 * .819
Volume=0.143820683 cubic inches


there ... but i need it in calculus buds.

should i just use y=x^(-x) and get the integral of it with limits from .25 - 2.25.

let me know
 


LCKurtz said:
You don't need a slope because it varies; Hershey's kisses don't look like cones.

Try modeling it with something something like this around the y=axis after scaling it properly:

y = 1 + (1-x)^{\frac 1 3} - x^{\frac 1 3}

Just to whet your appetite, here's a picture of what this looks like if you revolve it:

[PLAIN]http://math.asu.edu/~kurtz/pix/ChocolateChip.jpg
 
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