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Question

A cone and a hemisphere have equal bases and volumes. What is the ratio of the height of the cone to the radius of the hemisphere?

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

2 ∶ 1

Solving the Cone and Hemisphere Volume Ratio Problem

This problem asks us to find the ratio of the height of a cone to the radius of a hemisphere, given that they have equal bases and equal volumes.

Understanding the Problem Conditions

  • Equal Bases: The base of a cone is a circle, and the base of a hemisphere is also a circle (the great circle). Having equal bases means their base areas are equal. The area of a circle is given by \(\pi r^2\). If the radius of the cone's base is \(r_c\) and the radius of the hemisphere's base is \(r_h\), then \(\pi r_c^2 = \pi r_h^2\). This implies \(r_c^2 = r_h^2\), and since radii are positive, we have \(r_c = r_h\). Let's denote this common radius by \(r\). So, the radius of the cone's base is \(r\), and the radius of the hemisphere is also \(r\).
  • Equal Volumes: The volume of the cone is equal to the volume of the hemisphere.

Formulas for Volume

We need the formulas for the volume of a cone and a hemisphere:

  • Volume of a cone (\(V_c\)) with radius \(r_c\) and height \(h_c\): \(V_c = \frac{1}{3} \pi r_c^2 h_c\)
  • Volume of a hemisphere (\(V_h\)) with radius \(r_h\): \(V_h = \frac{2}{3} \pi r_h^3\)

Setting Up the Equation

We are given that the volumes are equal, \(V_c = V_h\). Using the common radius \(r\) (since \(r_c = r_h = r\)), we can write:

\(\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h_c = \frac{2}{3} \pi r^3\)

Solving for the Ratio of Height to Radius

Now, we need to solve this equation for the ratio \(\frac{h_c}{r}\). Let's simplify the equation:

  1. Cancel out the common factors on both sides. Both sides have \(\frac{1}{3}\pi\) and \(r^2\) (assuming \(r \neq 0\), which is true for shapes with volume).

Dividing both sides by \(\frac{1}{3}\pi r^2\):

\(\frac{\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h_c}{\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2} = \frac{\frac{2}{3} \pi r^3}{\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2}\)

\(h_c = \frac{2 r^3}{r^2}\)

\(h_c = 2r\)

The question asks for the ratio of the height of the cone (\(h_c\)) to the radius of the hemisphere. The radius of the hemisphere is \(r_h\), which we established is equal to \(r\). So, we need to find the ratio \(\frac{h_c}{r_h} = \frac{h_c}{r}\).

From our equation \(h_c = 2r\), we can rearrange it to find the ratio:

\(\frac{h_c}{r} = 2\)

This can be written as a ratio \(2:1\).

Conclusion

The ratio of the height of the cone to the radius of the hemisphere, when they have equal bases and equal volumes, is \(2:1\).

Shape Radius (Base/Hemisphere) Height (Cone) Volume Formula
Cone \(r_c = r\) \(h_c\) \(V_c = \frac{1}{3} \pi r_c^2 h_c = \frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h_c\)
Hemisphere \(r_h = r\) N/A \(V_h = \frac{2}{3} \pi r_h^3 = \frac{2}{3} \pi r^3\)

Given \(V_c = V_h\):

\(\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h_c = \frac{2}{3} \pi r^3\)

\(h_c = 2r\)

Ratio \(\frac{h_c}{r_h} = \frac{h_c}{r} = \frac{2r}{r} = \frac{2}{1}\)

Revision Table: Cone and Hemisphere Properties

Property Cone Hemisphere
Base Shape Circle Circle
Base Area (radius \(r\)) \(\pi r^2\) \(\pi r^2\)
Volume (radius \(r\), cone height \(h\)) \(\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h\) \(\frac{2}{3} \pi r^3\)
Equal Bases Condition Base radii are equal (\(r_c = r_h\))
Equal Volumes Condition \(V_{cone} = V_{hemisphere}\)

Additional Information: Solids of Revolution and Volumes

The cone and hemisphere are examples of common three-dimensional geometric shapes. Their volumes are derived using calculus (integration) by considering them as solids of revolution or through other geometric methods.

  • A cone can be formed by rotating a right-angled triangle about one of its perpendicular sides (the height).
  • A sphere (of which a hemisphere is half) can be formed by rotating a circle about its diameter.

Understanding these fundamental shapes and their volume formulas is crucial for solving many geometry and mensuration problems. The principle of equating volumes or surface areas based on given conditions is a common technique in these types of questions.

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Similar Questions

  1. The volume of a hemisphere is 155232 cm 3. What is the radius of the hemisphere?

  2. The radius and height of a right circular cone are in the ratio 3 : 7. If the volume of the cone is 528 cm 3, then what is the height of the cone? \(\left( {{\rm{Take}}\,\,{\rm{\pi }}\,{\rm{ = }}\frac{{22}}{7}} \right)\)

  3. The length, breadth and height of a cuboid are in the ratio 27 : 8 : 1. The cuboid is melted and recast into a cube. If p is the surface area of the cuboid and q is the surface area of the cube, then what is p/q equal to?

  4. If the radius of a sphere is rational, then which of the following is/are correct?

    1. Its surface area is rational.
    2. Its volume is rational.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Important Questions from Solid Figures

  1. A cube is 7 cm of an edge and another cube is 14 cm on an edge. The ratios of their surface areas are

  2. Using three distinct points which of the following shapes cannot be formed?

  3. Two cubes each of edge 12 cm are joined end to end. Find the surface area of the resulting cuboid.

  4. The areas of three adjacent faces of a cuboid are x, y, z. If the volume is V, then V 2will be equal to:

  5. The base radius of a cylinder is 14 cm. If curved surface area of the cylinder is three-fifth of the total surface area, then what will be the volume (in cu. cm) of the cylinder? (Use π =  \(\frac{{22}}{7}\) )

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