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Cola Can

Age 11 to 14
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A millilitre is one cubic centimetre.

Check that you can calculate the volume of a cylinder.

If the diameter is 6 cm, you can calculate the base area of the can.

If you know the base area you can find a height which will give you a specific volume ( 330 ml in this case)

Now start with a height (10 cm) and work your way back to a base area for a specified volume, then find a radius for that base area, and hence a diameter for the can.

What does least aluminium require ?

The top and base of the can are circles but how do you calculate the curved surface area ?


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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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