Frosty the Snowman

If you are getting stuck on this question, start by reading A Guide to Problem Solving.  Also try taking a break (take the dog/chicken for a walk, have some diner, sleep on it!) and then try again.

You can also use the Getting Started tab, where you will find some hints and tips to guide you through the question.

Frosty the snowman is made from two uniform spherical snowballs, of initial radii $2R$ and $3R.$ The smaller (which is his head) stands on top of the larger.

As each snowball melts, its volume decreases at a rate which is directly proportional to its surface area, the constant of proportionality being the same for both snowballs. During melting each snowball remains spherical and uniform.

• When Frosty is half his initial height, show that the ratio of his volume to his initial volume is 37 : 224 .
   
• What is this ratio when Frosty is one-tenth of his initial height?

Are the assumptions in this question reasonable?  In what ways might the question be modified to make it more realistic?

Can you think of any other questions to ask about Frosty's plight?

Frosty the snowman appears again in A Frosty Puddle.

Adapted from STEP Mathematics I, 1991, Q2. Question reproduced by kind permission of Cambridge Assessment Group Archives. The question remains Copyright University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate ("UCLES"), All rights reserved.