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# Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
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Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a  [#permalink]

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23 Jul 2017, 23:26
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Difficulty:

45% (medium)

Question Stats:

66% (02:11) correct 34% (02:42) wrong based on 65 sessions

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Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a higher lateral surface area? Lateral surface area refers to the area of the sides (the two base areas, one on top and one on bottom, are not taken into account). Assume π = (3/2)^3

(1) The height of the cylinder is twice its radius.
(2) Both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume.

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Re: Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a  [#permalink]

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24 Jul 2017, 02:11
1
Bunuel wrote:
Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a higher lateral surface area? Lateral surface area refers to the area of the sides (the two base areas, one on top and one on bottom, are not taken into account). Assume π = (3/2)^3

(1) The height of the cylinder is twice its radius.
(2) Both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume.

Call the side of the cube is $$a$$, the volume of the cube is $$a^3$$ and the lateral surface area of the cube is $$4a^2$$

Call the height and the radius of the cylinder are $$h$$ and $$b$$. The volume of the cylinder is $$\pi hb^2$$ and the lateral surface area of the cylinder is $$2\pi bh$$

(1) Since we could know $$h=2b$$, however we can't know the value of $$a$$. Insufficient.

(2) We have $$a^3 = \pi hb^2$$. We have to compare $$4a^2$$ and $$2\pi bh$$

Since $$a^3 = \pi hb^2 \implies 2 \pi bh = \frac{2a^3}{b}$$ . We now have to compare $$\frac{2a^3}{b}$$ and $$4a^2$$ or we have to compare $$\frac{a}{b}$$ and 2. However, we have no information about $$\frac{a}{b}$$, insufficient.

Combine (1) and (2):

From (1) have $$h=2b$$.

From (2) have $$a^3 = \pi hb^2 = 2\pi b^3 \implies \frac{a}{b} = \sqrt[3]{2\pi}$$

Now, from given condition we have $$\pi = (\frac{3}{2})^3 \\ \implies 2\pi = 2 * \frac{27}{8} = \frac{27}{4} < 8 \\ \implies \sqrt[3]{2\pi} < 2$$

From this, we could compare $$\frac{a}{b}$$ and 2 or we could compare $$\frac{2a^3}{b}$$ and $$4a^2$$. Sufficient.

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Re: Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a  [#permalink]

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30 Oct 2018, 03:55
Bunuel wrote:
Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a higher lateral surface area? Lateral surface area refers to the area of the sides (the two base areas, one on top and one on bottom, are not taken into account). Assume π = (3/2)^3

(1) The height of the cylinder is twice its radius.
(2) Both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume.

Let's formalize the surface area for both the cube and the cylinder:

- A cube has 4 side faces with each face having an area of $$a^2$$ (assuming that a cube's side's length is "a"). Thus: $$CubeLatArea = 4*a^2$$
- For the cylinder, its lateral area is that of a rectangle with a length equal to the height of the cylinder and a width equal to the circumference of its base. Thus: $$CylinderLatArea = 2*π*r*h$$

Therefore, the question asks us if $$4*a^2 - 2*π*r*h > 0$$ (Eq)

(1) The height of the cylinder is twice its radius.

This statement does not provide any data regarding the cube itself. Therefore, by itself, it's insufficient (cross off A and D).

(2) Both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume.

Translated, this statement means that: $$a^3 = π*r^2*h$$. This does not help us in answering the question stated by the problem. Therefore, by itself, this statement is insufficient (cross off B).

(1)+(2) The height of the cylinder is twice its radius and both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume

In this case, we have:
- $$h = 2*r$$
- $$a^3 = π*r^2*h$$

Thus: $$a^3 = 2*π*r^3$$ meaning that $$a = (2*π)^(\frac{1}{3})*r$$

Injecting the above in (Eq) and keeping in mind that $$h = 2*r$$ yields:

$$4*(2*π)^(\frac{2}{3})*r^2 - 4*π*r^2$$

After simplifying it, we get: $$4*r^2*π*(\frac{2}{π^(1/3)}-1)$$ which is negative. Thus, both statements together are sufficient.

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Re: Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a  [#permalink]

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05 Feb 2019, 04:37
Bunuel wrote:
Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a higher lateral surface area? Lateral surface area refers to the area of the sides (the two base areas, one on top and one on bottom, are not taken into account). Assume π = (3/2)^3

(1) The height of the cylinder is twice its radius.
(2) Both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume.

As per the question

lateral surface area of cube = 4a^2

from 1 h = 2 r
Cannot do anything from this

from 2 Both the cube and the cylinder have the same volume.
Cube and the cylinder have same volume

a^3 = 4/3 π r^2 * h

Again we dont have anything from this, 3 unknown variables

Combine both the statements

We can get a relationship between a and r

From which we can calculate the lateral surface area of both the figures Since this is a DS question one need not solve everything

C
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Re: Between a cube and a right circular cylinder, does the cube have a   [#permalink] 05 Feb 2019, 04:37
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