A company packages it's cereal in a rectangular prism that is 2.5 inches by 7 inches by 12 inches. It is considering packaging it in a cylinder- shaped container having a 6 inch diameter and a height of 7.5 inches. Which used the least amount of packaging? Prove your answer.

Answer 1

surface area of box
= 2(2.5)(7) + 2(2.5)(12) + 2(7)(12)
= 263 inches^2

surface area of cylinder
= 2πr^2 +2πrh
= 2π(3^2) + 2π(3)(7.5)
= 18π + 45π = 63π
or appr 197.9 inches^2

so what do you think?