TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROJECT TITLE ............................................................................................................................................... 2

PROBLEM STATEMENT.................................................................................................................................. 2
MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION .................................................................................................................. 3
PROBLEM SOLUTION..................................................................................................................................... 6
APPLICATION OF SOLUTION........................................................................................................................ 14
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS/CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 15

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PROJECT TITLE
Determining which of differently three differently shaped water tanks
(Rectangular, Cylindrical and Spherical) would hold 1000 gallons of water while
minimizing the usage of plastic.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
The purpose of this project is to investigate and determine which of three
differently shaped water tanks (Cylindrical tank, Rectangular tank and Spherical
tank) will use the least amount of plastic to manufacture while housing a volume of
1000 gallons (3.785 m³) of water. Hence, minimizing production cost while
maximizing the profit to be made if the tanks are sold at $500.00 per unit. The
investigation will determine the dimension of each tank and differentiation will be
used (where necessary) to find the minimum surface area.

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MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION
Volume of tank, V= 1000 gallons = 3.785m3

Shapes of tank to be investigated:

 Cylindrical
 Rectangular
 Spherical

Cylindrical:

Let: Radius = x

Height = y

Rectangular:

Assuming that the length is twice its

width:

Let: Length = 2x

Width = x

Height = y

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Spherical:

Let: Radius = x

Table showing the formulae used to

determine the volume and surface area of
each tank:

SHAPE VOLUME, V/m3 SURFACE AREA,

A/m2
1. CYLINDRICAL πx2y 2x2π + 2xyπ
2. RECTANGULAR 2x2y 4x2+2xy+4xy
3. SPHERICAL 4
πx3 4πx2
3

Cost of Specially Formulated Plastic per m2 = $15.00

Manufacturing cost = Surface Area, A × $15.00

Selling price per unit= $500.00

Profit, P = Selling Price - Manufacturing cost

i.e. Profit, P = $500.00 – Manufacturing cost

To find the minimum surface area for the tanks, two different methods will have to
be utilized almost the same method can be used for the rectangular and cylindrical
tanks however for the spherical tank a different method will need to be used seeing
that there is only one variable present (Radius). The procedures intendedare listed
below

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 1. Spherical / Rectangular Tank:
 Firstly, two equations will be obtained and labelled eq1 and eq2
representing the surface area and volume respectively.
 The second step is to make y the subject of eq2 and label that eq3.
 Thirdly, eq 3 will be substituted into eq1 to gain a new equation, eq4
 Eq4 will be differentiated (𝑑𝑥 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑) before being re-arranged
𝑑𝐴

to find x.
 The value found for x will be substituted into eq3 to find the value of
y
 Once these values have been found they can be substitutes into the
surface area formula (eq1) to find the minimum surface area, A.
 Next, the minimum surface area will be multiplied by $15.00 to find
the manufacturing cost.
 The profit made will be found by using the formula: Profit, P =
(Selling Price) – (Manufacturing cost), where Selling Price = $500.00.
 Finally the second derivative of eq4 will be found to verify that the
value obtained for the surface area is in fact a minimum.

Spherical Tank:

 Firstly, two equations will be obtained and labelled eq1 and eq2
representing the surface area and volume respectively.
 The second is to substitute V=3.785 into eq2 and rearrange the
equation to find the value of x.
 The value found for x will be substituted into eq3 to find the value of
y
 Once these values have been found they can be substitutes into the
surface area formula (eq1) to find the minimum surface area, A.
 Next, the minimum surface area will be multiplied by $15.00 to find
the manufacturing cost.
 The profit made will be found by using the formula: Profit, P =
(Selling Price) – (Manufacturing cost), where Selling Price = $500.00.

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PROBLEM SOLUTION
Assumptions:
 The vertices of each tank will have a slight curve
 Each tank will require a cover
 The profit calculated will not be exact as there will be some machinery cost (e.g. Gas, electrical
cost, etc.) and labour cost
 The profit calculated will not take into consideration if any type of tax was added when selling
the product(e.g. VAT)
 The cost of support for the spherical tank was not calculated

N.b THIS SOLUTION WILL BE INVALID IF THE COST OF THE MATERIAL USED EVER ALTERS.

CYLINDRICAL TANK
Given:

Volume, V = 1000 gallons = 3.785m3.

Let:

Radius = x
Height = y

Surface Area, A = 2x2π + 2xyπ --------------- eq (1)

Volume , V = πx2y-------------------------- eq (2)

From eq (2):
𝑉
y = π𝑥 2 , where V = 3.785m3

3.785
i.e. y = --------------------------- eq (3)
π𝑥 2

Substitute eq (3) into eq (1):

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 3.785
i.e. A = 2x2π + 2x( π𝑥 2 )π

7.57
⇒ A = 2x2π + ------------------------- eq (4)
𝑥

Hence, differentiate eq (4):

i.e. A = 2x2π + 7.57x-1

𝑑𝐴 7.57
⸫ = 4xπ –
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2

𝑑𝐴
If 𝑑𝑥 = 0, then:

7.57
4xπ – =0
𝑥2

⇒ 4x3π – 7.57 = 0

⇒ 4x3π = 7.57
1.8925
⇒ x3 = π

3 1.8925
⇒ x= √ π

⸫ x = 0.845

Hence, the radius, x = 0.845m.

3 1.8925
Substitute x = √ into eq (3):
π

3.785
i.e. y = 2
3 1.8925
π( √ )
π

⸫ y = 1.69m

Hence, the height, y = 1.69m.

Therefore, the dimensions of the cylinder to give the minimum surface area are:

Radius, x = 0.845m

Height, y = 1.69m.

The minimum surface area of the cylindrical tank is:

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 Surface Area, A = 2x2π + 2xyπ where,

3 1.8925 3 1.8925 3.785

A = 2(√ )2π + 2(√ )( 2 )π
π π 3 1.8925
π( √ )
π

A = 13.436m2.

Hence the manufacturing cost of the cylindrical tank will be:

Manufacturing cost = Surface Area, A × $15.00

Manufacturing cost = (13.436 × $15.00)

= $ 201.54

Therefore the cost to product per unit of the cylindrical tank is $ 201.54

Profit, P = (Selling Price) – (Manufacturing cost), where Selling Price = $500.00.

= $500.00 - $201.54

= $298.46

Hence the manufacturing cost of a cylindrical tank of volume 1000 gallons (i.e. 3.785m3) is
$201.54 where a profit of $298.46 can be made.

Verifying that the value found for the surface area is a minimum:
𝑑𝐴 7.57
= 4xπ –
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2

𝑑2 𝐴
Now finding second derivative [ 𝑑𝑥 2 ]:

𝑑2𝐴
= 4𝜋 − 7.57 (−2)(−2)−1
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2 𝐴
= 4𝜋 + 15.14𝑥 −3
𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝐴
Since 𝑑𝑥 2 = 0 then:

4𝜋 + 15.14𝑥 −3 = 0

⸫x= 1.064 (since this number is > 0 then the value found for the surface area is a minimum)

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RECTANGULAR TANK

Assumption: The length is twice the width.

Let:

Length/m = 2x
Width/m = x
Height/m = y
Volume/m3 = 3.785.

Surface Area, A/m2 = 2 [(2x) (x) + (x) (y) + (2x) (y)]

= 4x2 + 2xy + 4xy

⸫ Surface Area, A/m2 = 4x2 + 2xy + 4xy ……………….. eq (1)

Volume, V/m3 = (2x) (x) (y)

⸫ Volume, V/m3 = 2x2y………………………………..eq (2)

From eq (2):
𝑉
𝑦=
2𝑥 2

3.785
⸫𝑦= ……………………………………..eq (3)
2𝑥 2

From eq (3) into eq (1):

i.e.
3.785 3.785
A = 4x2 + 2x( 2𝑥 2 ) + 4x( 2𝑥 2 )

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 3.785 7.57
⇒ A = 4x2 + +
𝑥 𝑥

⇒ A = 4x2 + 3.785x-1 + 7.57x-1……………………eq (4)

Hence, differentiate eq (4):

i.e.

A = 4x2 + 3.785x-1 + 7.57x-1

𝑑𝐴 3.785 7.57
⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 8x ─ ─ 𝑥2
𝑥2

𝑑𝐴
If 𝑑𝑥 = 0, then:

3.785 7.57
8x ─ ─ 𝑥2 = 0
𝑥2

⇒ 8x3 = 3.785 + 7.57

3 11.355
⇒ x= √ 8

⇒ x = 1.124

Hence, the width the rectangular tank, x is 1.124m.

Assuming that the length is 2x then;

Length = 2(1.124)

= 2.248m

Hence, the length of the rectangular tank, 2x is 2.248m.

3 11.355
Subst. x = √ into eq (3):
8

3.785
i.e. y= 2
3 11.355
(2)( √ )
8

= 1.498m

Hence, the height of the rectangular tank, y is 1.498m.

Therefore, the dimensions of the rectangular tank to give the minimum surface area of are:

Width, x = 1.124m

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 Length, 2x = 2.248m

Height, y = 1.498m

The minimum surface area of the rectangular tank is:

Surface Area, A = 4(1.124)2 + 2(1.124) (2.248) + 4(1.124) (2.248)

A = 20.214 m2

Hence the manufacturing cost of the rectangular tank will be:

Manufacturing cost = Surface Area, A × $15.00

Manufacturing cost = (20.214 × $15.00) m2

= $ 303.21.

Therefore the cost to product per unit of the rectangular tank is $ 172.94.

Profit, P = (Selling Price) – (Manufacturing cost), where Selling Price = $500.00.

= $500.00 - $303.21

= $196.79

Hence the manufacturing cost of a rectangular tank of volume 1000 gallons (i.e. 3.785m3) is
$303.21 where a profit of $196.79 can be made.

Ensuring that the value found for the surface area is a minimum:
𝑑𝐴 3.785 7.57
= 8x ─ ─ 𝑥2
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2

= 8x – 3.785x-2 – 7.57x-2

= 8x + -11.355x-2
𝑑2 𝐴
Now finding the second derivative ( ):
𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2𝐴
= 8 + 22.71𝑥 −3
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2 𝐴
Since = 0:
𝑑𝑥 2

8 + 22.71𝑥 −3 = 0

⸫ x= 0.5 (This number is >0 so the value found for the surface area is a minimum)

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 Spherical tank

Given:

Volume, V = 1000 gallons = 3.785m3.

Let:

Radius = x

Surface Area, A = 4πx2…………………………………….eq (1)

4
Volume, V = 3πx3…………………………………….eq (2)

Substitute V = 3.785 into eq (2):

4
⸫ 3.785 = 3πx3

(3)(3.785)
⇒ x3 = 4𝜋

3 (3)(3.785)
⇒ x= √ 4𝜋

⇒ x = 0.967m

Hence, the radius of the spherical tank, x, is 0.967m.

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Therefore, the dimension of the cylindrical tank to give the minimum surface area is:

Radius, x = 0.967m.

The minimum surface area of the rectangular tank is:

Surface Area, A = 4πx2

i.e. A = 4π (0.967)2

⇒ A = 11.751m2

The manufacturing cost of the spherical tank will be:

Manufacturing cost = Surface Area, A × $15.00

Manufacturing cost = (11.751 × $15.00) m2

= $ 176.27.

Therefore the cost to product per unit of the spherical tank is $ 176.27.

Profit, P = (Selling Price) – (Manufacturing cost), where Selling Price = $500.00.

= $500.00 - $176.27.

= $323.73.

Hence the manufacturing cost of a spherical tank of volume 1000 gallons (i.e. 3.785m3) is
$176.27 where a profit of $323.73 can be made.

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APPLICATION OF SOLUTION

Table 1.2 showing the shape of the tank as well as the manufacturing cost and the
profits gained if each tank is sold for $500.00.
SHAPE OF TANK SURFACE AREA MANUFACTURING PROFIT
OF TANK, A/m2 COST

1. CYLINDRICAL 13.436 $201.54 $298.46

2. RECTANGULAR 20.214 $303.21 $196.79
3. SPHERICAL 11.751 $176.27 $323.73
Table 1.2

From the table it can be seen that the relationship between the manufacturing cost
and the profit is inversely proportional. That is, as the manufacturing cost increases
the profit decreases and vice versa.

Therefore the company, Watermatics, must consider using the least amount of
materials to minimize the manufacturing cost while maximizing the profit.

From the table it can also be seen that the rectangular tank is the most expensive to
manufacture and therefore gives the least profit while the spherical tank is the least
expensive to produce and gives the most profit. Hence concluding that, the
spherical tank is the best choice for the company to produce if they intend to
maximize their profits.

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DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS/CONCLUSION

Table 1.2 showing the shape of the tank as well as the manufacturing cost and the
profits gained if each tank is sold for $500.00.
SHAPE OF TANK SURFACE AREA MANUFACTURING PROFIT
OF TANK, A/m2 COST
1. CYLINDRICAL 13.436 $201.54 $298.46
2. RECTANGULAR 20.214 $303.21 $196.79
3. SPHERICAL 11.751 $176.27 $323.73

Table 1.2

The purpose of this report was achieved by investigating and proving that the
rectangular tank can house a volume of 1000 gallons (3.785m3) of water while
comprising of the least amount of the specially formulated plastic material. That is,
the spherical tank consisted of a minimum surface area of 11.751m2 resulting in the
least manufacturing cost and the maximum profit to be gained. Therefore,
providing a valid solution to the given situation.

Chart 1.3: A Column Graph Comparing the manufacturing costs as well as the
profit.
$350.00

$300.00

$250.00

$200.00
Manufacturing Cost
$150.00 Total Profit

$100.00

$50.00

$0.00
Cylindrical Tank Rectangular Tank Spherical Tank

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SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE ANALYSIS

The method used to solve the water tank problem can also be used to solve other
similar situations. For example, this method can be used to maximize the area of a
flower garden which needs to be fenced to accommodate the utmost amount of
tulips in it.

In this situation a known volume was given and the maximum surface area needs
to be attained. However, this method also applies if a known surface area is given
and a maximum volume needs to be obtained. For example, if given a known
surface area of a sheet of paper that is need to form an open ended toy box, this
method can also be used to determine the maximum volume that can be attained to
form the box.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the spherical tank is the best choice for the company to produce if
they intend to make a maximize profit of 323.73 per unit due to a minimum
amount of specially formulated plastic material (11.529m2) needed to produce it.

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