Math Problem Statement

A sculptor takes a large piece of clay, and after flattening some sides and curving others ends up with the shape below. The dimensions are: length = 8.3 cm, width = 3.1 cm, and height/radius = 3.4 cm. Find the volume of the resulting sculpture.

Solution

The shape of the sculpture is a combination of a rectangular prism and a half-cylinder.

Step 1: Volume of the Rectangular Prism

The dimensions of the rectangular prism are:

  • Length: 8.3 cm
  • Width: 3.1 cm
  • Height: 3.4 cm (which is the same as the radius of the half-cylinder).

The volume VprismV_{\text{prism}} of the rectangular prism is calculated as: Vprism=length×width×heightV_{\text{prism}} = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height} Vprism=8.3cm×3.1cm×3.4cmV_{\text{prism}} = 8.3 \, \text{cm} \times 3.1 \, \text{cm} \times 3.4 \, \text{cm}

Step 2: Volume of the Half-Cylinder

The half-cylinder has:

  • Radius r=3.4cmr = 3.4 \, \text{cm}
  • Length l=8.3cml = 8.3 \, \text{cm}

The volume Vhalf-cylinderV_{\text{half-cylinder}} of the half-cylinder is calculated as: Vhalf-cylinder=12×πr2lV_{\text{half-cylinder}} = \frac{1}{2} \times \pi r^2 l Vhalf-cylinder=12×π×(3.4cm)2×8.3cmV_{\text{half-cylinder}} = \frac{1}{2} \times \pi \times (3.4 \, \text{cm})^2 \times 8.3 \, \text{cm}

Step 3: Total Volume

The total volume VtotalV_{\text{total}} of the sculpture is the sum of the rectangular prism and the half-cylinder: Vtotal=Vprism+Vhalf-cylinderV_{\text{total}} = V_{\text{prism}} + V_{\text{half-cylinder}}

Now, I will calculate the values.The total volume of the sculpture is 238.2cm3238.2 \, \text{cm}^3, rounded to one decimal place.

Would you like further details or clarifications?

Here are 5 related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How is the volume of a cylinder calculated?
  2. What is the difference between the volume of a full cylinder and a half-cylinder?
  3. How do different shapes affect volume calculations?
  4. Why is the volume of the prism calculated as length × width × height?
  5. How would the volume change if the radius of the half-cylinder were smaller?

Tip: When solving composite volume problems, break down the object into simpler shapes and sum their volumes!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Volume Calculation
Composite Shapes
Geometry

Formulas

Volume of a rectangular prism: V = length × width × height
Volume of a half-cylinder: V = (1/2) × π × radius^2 × length

Theorems

Basic Volume Theorems

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10