A right circular metal cone (solid) is 42 cm high and its radius is $\frac{21}{2}$ cm. It is melted and recast into a sphere. Then the radius of the sphere will be:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → $\frac{21}{2}$
1. Volume of the Cone
The formula for the volume of a right circular cone ($V_c$) is:
$V_c = \frac{1}{3} \pi r_c^2 h$
Given:
- Height ($h$) = $42$ cm
- Radius ($r_c$) = $\frac{21}{2}$ cm
Substituting the values:
$V_c = \frac{1}{3} \pi \left( \frac{21}{2} \right)^2 \times 42$
$V_c = \frac{1}{3} \pi \times \frac{441}{4} \times 42$
$V_c = \pi \times \frac{441}{4} \times 14$
2. Volume of the Sphere
The formula for the volume of a sphere ($V_s$) with radius $R$ is:
$V_s = \frac{4}{3} \pi R^3$
3. Equating the Volumes
Since the cone is melted and recast into a sphere:
$V_s = V_c$
$\frac{4}{3} \pi R^3 = \frac{1}{3} \pi \left( \frac{21}{2} \right)^2 \times 42$
Cancel $\pi$ and $\frac{1}{3}$ from both sides:
$4R^3 = \left( \frac{21}{2} \right)^2 \times 42$
$4R^3 = \frac{441}{4} \times 42$
Multiply both sides by $\frac{1}{4}$ to solve for $R^3$:
$R^3 = \frac{441 \times 42}{16}$
$R^3 = \frac{21 \times 21 \times (21 \times 2)}{16}$
$R^3 = \frac{21^3 \times 2}{16}$
$R^3 = \frac{21^3}{8}$
4. Find the Radius ($R$)
Take the cube root of both sides:
$R = \sqrt[3]{\frac{21^3}{8}}$
$R = \frac{21}{2} \text{ cm}$
Final Answer: The radius of the sphere is $\frac{21}{2}$ cm.