Optimise 3D shape dimensions

A question is this type if and only if it requires expressing a surface area or volume of a 3D solid (cylinder, cuboid, prism, sphere) in terms of one variable using a constraint, then using calculus to find the minimum or maximum value.

15 questions · Standard +0.0

1.07n Stationary points: find maxima, minima using derivatives
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Edexcel C12 2015 June Q16
13 marks Standard +0.3
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question you may assume the formula for the area of a circle and the following formulae:
    a sphere of radius \(r\) has volume \(V = \frac { 4 } { 3 } \pi r ^ { 3 }\) and surface area \(S = 4 \pi r ^ { 2 }\) a cylinder of radius \(r\) and height \(h\) has volume \(V = \pi r ^ { 2 } h\) and curved surface area \(S = 2 \pi r h ]\)
\begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ea81408b-e292-4529-b1e2-e3246503a3ac-25_414_478_566_726} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 5}
\end{figure} Figure 5 shows the model for a building. The model is made up of three parts. The roof is modelled by the curved surface of a hemisphere of radius \(R \mathrm {~cm}\). The walls are modelled by the curved surface of a circular cylinder of radius \(R \mathrm {~cm}\) and height \(H \mathrm {~cm}\). The floor is modelled by a circular disc of radius \(R \mathrm {~cm}\). The model is made of material of negligible thickness, and the walls are perpendicular to the base. It is given that the volume of the model is \(800 \pi \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\) and that \(0 < R < 10.6\)
  1. Show that $$H = \frac { 800 } { R ^ { 2 } } - \frac { 2 } { 3 } R$$
  2. Show that the surface area, \(A \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\), of the model is given by $$A = \frac { 5 \pi R ^ { 2 } } { 3 } + \frac { 1600 \pi } { R }$$
  3. Use calculus to find the value of \(R\), to 3 significant figures, for which \(A\) is a minimum.
  4. Prove that this value of \(R\) gives a minimum value for \(A\).
  5. Find, to 3 significant figures, the value of \(H\) which corresponds to this value for \(R\).
Edexcel C2 2011 June Q8
11 marks Standard +0.3
8. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c9758792-ca4c-4837-bd7c-e695fe0c0cdf-12_662_719_127_609} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} A cuboid has a rectangular cross-section where the length of the rectangle is equal to twice its width, \(x \mathrm {~cm}\), as shown in Figure 2.
The volume of the cuboid is 81 cubic centimetres.
  1. Show that the total length, \(L \mathrm {~cm}\), of the twelve edges of the cuboid is given by $$L = 12 x + \frac { 162 } { x ^ { 2 } }$$
  2. Use calculus to find the minimum value of \(L\).
  3. Justify, by further differentiation, that the value of \(L\) that you have found is a minimum.
Edexcel C2 2012 June Q8
13 marks Moderate -0.3
8. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f1ef99f0-4ad4-49d8-bee7-d5bb9cc84660-11_305_446_223_749} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} A manufacturer produces pain relieving tablets. Each tablet is in the shape of a solid circular cylinder with base radius \(x \mathrm {~mm}\) and height \(h \mathrm {~mm}\), as shown in Figure 3. Given that the volume of each tablet has to be \(60 \mathrm {~mm} ^ { 3 }\),
  1. express \(h\) in terms of \(x\),
  2. show that the surface area, \(A \mathrm {~mm} ^ { 2 }\), of a tablet is given by \(A = 2 \pi x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 120 } { x }\) The manufacturer needs to minimise the surface area \(A \mathrm {~mm} ^ { 2 }\), of a tablet.
  3. Use calculus to find the value of \(x\) for which \(A\) is a minimum.
  4. Calculate the minimum value of \(A\), giving your answer to the nearest integer.
  5. Show that this value of \(A\) is a minimum.
OCR MEI C2 2008 January Q10
12 marks Moderate -0.3
10 \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{15872003-2e41-47e9-a5bd-34e533768f8a-3_501_493_1434_826} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 10}
\end{figure} Fig. 10 shows a solid cuboid with square base of side \(x \mathrm {~cm}\) and height \(h \mathrm {~cm}\). Its volume is \(120 \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\).
  1. Find \(h\) in terms of \(x\). Hence show that the surface area, \(A \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\), of the cuboid is given by \(A = 2 x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 480 } { x }\).
  2. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } A } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } A } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\).
  3. Hence find the value of \(x\) which gives the minimum surface area. Find also the value of the surface area in this case.
OCR MEI C2 2011 June Q11
11 marks Moderate -0.3
11
  1. The standard formulae for the volume \(V\) and total surface area \(A\) of a solid cylinder of radius \(r\) and height \(h\) are $$V = \pi r ^ { 2 } h \quad \text { and } \quad A = 2 \pi r ^ { 2 } + 2 \pi r h .$$ Use these to show that, for a cylinder with \(A = 200\), $$V = 100 r - \pi r ^ { 3 }$$
  2. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} r }\) and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } V } { \mathrm {~d} r ^ { 2 } }\).
  3. Use calculus to find the value of \(r\) that gives a maximum value for \(V\) and hence find this maximum value, giving your answers correct to 3 significant figures.
Edexcel Paper 2 Specimen Q14
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. A company decides to manufacture a soft drinks can with a capacity of 500 ml .
The company models the can in the shape of a right circular cylinder with radius \(r \mathrm {~cm}\) and height \(h \mathrm {~cm}\). In the model they assume that the can is made from a metal of negligible thickness.
  1. Prove that the total surface area, \(S \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\), of the can is given by $$S = 2 \pi r ^ { 2 } + \frac { 1000 } { r }$$ Given that \(r\) can vary,
  2. find the dimensions of a can that has minimum surface area.
  3. With reference to the shape of the can, suggest a reason why the company may choose not to manufacture a can with minimum surface area.
AQA C1 2015 June Q6
11 marks Standard +0.3
6 The diagram shows a cylindrical container of radius \(r \mathrm {~cm}\) and height \(h \mathrm {~cm}\). The container has an open top and a circular base. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c7f38f7e-75aa-4b41-96fd-f38f968c225c-12_389_426_404_751} The external surface area of the container's curved surface and base is \(48 \pi \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\).
When the radius of the base is \(r \mathrm {~cm}\), the volume of the container is \(V \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\).
    1. Find an expression for \(h\) in terms of \(r\).
    2. Show that \(V = 24 \pi r - \frac { \pi } { 2 } r ^ { 3 }\).
    1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} r }\).
    2. Find the positive value of \(r\) for which \(V\) is stationary, and determine whether this stationary value is a maximum value or a minimum value.
      [0pt] [4 marks]
AQA C1 2007 January Q5
10 marks Moderate -0.5
5 The diagram shows an open-topped water tank with a horizontal rectangular base and four vertical faces. The base has width \(x\) metres and length \(2 x\) metres, and the height of the tank is \(h\) metres. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{33da89e2-f74f-4d5a-8bbd-ceaa728b6c34-4_403_410_477_792} The combined internal surface area of the base and four vertical faces is \(54 \mathrm {~m} ^ { 2 }\).
    1. Show that \(x ^ { 2 } + 3 x h = 27\).
    2. Hence express \(h\) in terms of \(x\).
    3. Hence show that the volume of water, \(V \mathrm {~m} ^ { 3 }\), that the tank can hold when full is given by $$V = 18 x - \frac { 2 x ^ { 3 } } { 3 }$$
    1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} x }\).
    2. Verify that \(V\) has a stationary value when \(x = 3\).
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } V } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) and hence determine whether \(V\) has a maximum value or a minimum value when \(x = 3\).
    (2 marks)
Edexcel C1 Q4
5 marks Moderate -0.5
\includegraphics{figure_4} A manufacturer produces cartons for fruit juice. Each carton is in the shape of a closed cuboid with base dimensions \(2x\) cm by \(x\) cm and height \(h\) cm, as shown in Fig. 4. Given that the capacity of a carton has to be \(1030\) cm³,
  1. express \(h\) in terms of \(x\), [2]
  2. show that the surface area, \(A\) cm², of a carton is given by $$A = 4x^2 + \frac{3090}{x}.$$ [3]
Edexcel C1 Q32
4 marks Standard +0.3
A container made from thin metal is in the shape of a right circular cylinder with height \(h\) cm and base radius \(r\) cm. The container has no lid. When full of water, the container holds 500 cm³ of water. Show that the exterior surface area, \(A\) cm², of the container is given by $$A = \pi r^2 + \frac{1000}{r}.$$ [4]
Edexcel C1 Q6
4 marks Moderate -0.5
A container made from thin metal is in the shape of a right circular cylinder with height \(h\) cm and base radius \(r\) cm. The container has no lid. When full of water, the container holds 500 cm³ of water. Show that the exterior surface area, \(A\) cm², of the container is given by $$A = \pi r^2 + \frac{1000}{r}.$$ [4]
OCR C1 2006 June Q8
10 marks Moderate -0.3
A cuboid has a volume of \(8 \text{m}^3\). The base of the cuboid is square with sides of length \(x\) metres. The surface area of the cuboid is \(A \text{m}^2\).
  1. Show that \(A = 2x^2 + \frac{32}{x}\). [3]
  2. Find \(\frac{dA}{dx}\). [3]
  3. Find the value of \(x\) which gives the smallest surface area of the cuboid, justifying your answer. [4]
AQA AS Paper 2 2018 June Q11
9 marks Standard +0.8
Rakti makes open-topped cylindrical planters out of thin sheets of galvanised steel. She bends a rectangle of steel to make an open cylinder and welds the joint. She then welds this cylinder to the circumference of a circular base. \includegraphics{figure_11} The planter must have a capacity of \(8000\text{cm}^3\) Welding is time consuming, so Rakti wants the total length of weld to be a minimum. Calculate the radius, \(r\), and height, \(h\), of a planter which requires the minimum total length of weld. Fully justify your answers, giving them to an appropriate degree of accuracy. [9 marks]
AQA Paper 1 Specimen Q14
10 marks Standard +0.3
An open-topped fish tank is to be made for an aquarium. It will have a square horizontal base, rectangular vertical sides and a volume of 60 m\(^3\) The materials cost:
  • £15 per m\(^2\) for the base
  • £8 per m\(^2\) for the sides.
  1. Modelling the sides and base of the fish tank as laminae, use calculus to find the height of the tank for which the overall cost of the materials has its minimum value. Fully justify your answer. [8 marks]
    1. In reality, the thickness of the base and sides of the tank is 2.5 cm Briefly explain how you would refine your modelling to take account of the thickness of the sides and base of the tank. [1 mark]
    2. How would your refinement affect your answer to part (a)? [1 mark]
WJEC Unit 1 Specimen Q14
8 marks Standard +0.3
The diagram below shows a closed box in the form of a cuboid, which is such that the length of its base is twice the width of its base. The volume of the box is 9000 cm³. The total surface area of the box is denoted by \(S\) cm². \includegraphics{figure_14}
  1. Show that \(S = 4x^2 + \frac{27000}{x}\), where \(x\) cm denotes the width of the base. [3]
  2. Find the minimum value of \(S\), showing that the value you have found is a minimum value. [5]