Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Applied Optimization
Problem 4.5.35.a
Textbook Question
Optimal soda can
a. Classical problem Find the radius and height of a cylindrical soda can with a volume of 354 cm³ that minimize the surface area.

1
Start by writing down the formulas for the volume and surface area of a cylinder. The volume V is given by \( V = \pi r^2 h \) and the surface area S is given by \( S = 2\pi r^2 + 2\pi rh \).
Since the volume is fixed at 354 cm³, use the volume formula to express the height h in terms of the radius r: \( h = \frac{354}{\pi r^2} \).
Substitute the expression for h from the volume equation into the surface area formula: \( S = 2\pi r^2 + 2\pi r \left(\frac{354}{\pi r^2}\right) \). Simplify this expression to get the surface area S as a function of r only.
Differentiate the surface area function S with respect to r to find \( \frac{dS}{dr} \). Set \( \frac{dS}{dr} = 0 \) to find the critical points, which will help identify the radius that minimizes the surface area.
Solve the equation from the previous step to find the value of r. Once you have r, substitute it back into the expression for h to find the corresponding height. Verify that this critical point is a minimum by using the second derivative test or analyzing the behavior of the derivative around the critical point.
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