The volume of a cylinder

HOME

Math Central

Quandaries & Queries

Question from Lakeshia:

2) The volume of a cylinder (think about the volume of a can) is given by V = pi r^2 h where r is the radius of the cylinder and h is the height of the cylinder. Suppose the volume of the can is 100 cubic centimeters.
a)Write h as a function of r. Keep "p" in the function's equation.
Answer

b) What is the measurement of the height if the radius of the cylinder is 2 centimeters? Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
Answer

Lakeshia,

Since

V = r² h

and you have v = 100 cubic centimeters

100 = r² h

Solve for h, that is manipulate this equation to obtain the form

h = some expression involving r and .

For b) part substitute r = 2 centimeters and = 3.1416 ito the expression in the line above.

Penny

Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.