Question

Find the length of the longest object that will fit inside a cylinder that has a radius of 3.25 inches and is 7 inches high.

HINT: Draw a picture and use the Pythagorean Theorem.

(Round your answer down to one decimal place.)

Answer 1

Answer:

9.5 inches

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pythagorean theorem can be used to find the length of the longest linear object of small dimensions that will fit across the space diagonal of the cylinder. The relevant length is that of the hypotenuse of a triangle whose legs are the diameter and height of the cylinder.

... length² = (3.25×2)² +7² = 91.25

... length = √91.25 ≈ 9.55249 ≈ 9.5 . . . inches

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Ordinarily, such a number would be rounded up, but that longer length will not fit. Hence it is appropriate to round the number down.

If the object can be curled up, more than 3.2 billion miles of DNA molecule would fit in the space.