Cat Food Can Problem


The Carnation Company of L.A. produces and distributes Friskies Buffet Cat Foods.   All flavors come in cylindrical containers.   A six ounce can of Friskies Buffet Mixed Grill has a volume of roughly 14.5 cubic inches and has the following dimensions: height = 1.75 inches and radius = 1.62 inches.

But do the dimensions of this Friskies can have the smallest surface area that contains 14.5 cubic inches?

Sounds like a calculus problem...

Determine the radius and height of the can having a volume of 14.5 cubic inches and that has the smallest surface area.


Outline of Solution:




Why do Carnation and other companies package cat food and tuna and chicken in short cans that do not minimize the surface area?

For the answer, click here!


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher