Of all the closed right circular cylindrical cans of volume $128\, cm^3$, find the dimensions of the can which has minimum surface area.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → $r=4\,cm,h=8\,cm$
Let r cm be the radius of the circular base and h cm be the height of the cylindrical can, then
V (volume) = $\pi г^2h = 128π$ (given)
$⇒h =\frac{128}{r^2}$ ...(i)
Let S be the (total) surface area of the cylinder,
then $S = 2πrh + 2πг^2$
$= 2πг. \frac{128}{r^2}+ 2πг^2$ (using (i))
$= 2π\left(\frac{128}{r}+r^2\right)$
Differentiating it w.r.t. r, we get
$\frac{dS}{dr}=2π\left(-\frac{128}{r}+2r\right)$ and $\frac{d^2S}{dr^2}=2π\left(\frac{128×2}{r^3}+2\right)$.
Now $\frac{dS}{dr}=0⇒2π\left(\frac{256}{64}+2\right)=2π(4+2)=12π>0$
⇒ S is minimum when $r=4$.
From (i), $h=\frac{128}{4^2}=\frac{128}{16}=8$
Hence, the surface area of the cylindrical can is minimum when radius = 4 cm and height = 8 cm.