You are here:

Advanced Math/Cubic inch container dimension

Advertisement

Expert: Sherry Wallin - 6/29/2009


Question
Ive been trying to solve the following question. A cylinder is 11 inches long and contains 72 cubic inches. What is the width?

Answer
Mr. T~
    You need to know the formula for the volume of a right circular cylinder which is pi*r^2*h. You also need to know that the width of a cylinder is the diameter d and that d = 2r. So take the 72 cu in and set it equal to pi*r^2*h. Realize that the height is the length and plug it into pi*r^2*11 = 72. Solve for r = sq root(72/(11*pi)). So
d = 2[sq root(72/(11*pi))] which is approximately 2.89 in (which is the width).


Math Prof

Advanced Math

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Sherry Wallin

Expertise

I can answer most questions up through Calculus and some in Number Theory and Abstract Algebra.

Experience

I have had my Bachelor's Degree since 1987 and have been a teacher since 1988. I earned my Masters Degree in Mathematics May 2010. I have been teaching at the same community college since 2002.

Education/Credentials
I have taught 12 years at the community college level, medical college, and technical college as well as a high school instructor and alternative education instructor and charter school instructor.

Awards and Honors
Master's GPA 3.56 Bachelor's GPA 3.34 Post grad work not degree related GPA 4.0

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.