Question: Suppose we are planning to make a taco from a round tortilla with diameter 8 inches by bending the tortilla so that it is shaped

Suppose we are planning to make a taco from a round tortilla with diameter 8 inches by bending the tortilla so that it is shaped as if it is partially wrapped around a circular cylinder. We will fill the tortilla to the edge (but no more) with meat, cheese, and other ingredients. Our problem is to decide how to curve the tortilla in order to maximize the volume of food it can hold.
(a) We start by placing a circular cylinder of radius along a diameter of the tortilla and folding the tortilla around the cylinder. Let represent the distance from the center of the tortilla to a point P on the diameter (see the figure). Show that the cross-sectional area of the filled taco in the plane through P perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder is and write an expression for the volume of the filled taco.
(b) Determine (approximately) the value of that maximizes the volume of the taco. (Use a graphical approach with your CAS.)


16 - x? A(x) = r/16 - x? -r sin P.

16 - x? A(x) = r/16 - x? -r sin P.

Step by Step Solution

3.32 Rating (164 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

a Place the round flat tortilla on an zycoordinate system as shown in the first figure An equation o... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Document Format (1 attachment)

Word file Icon

M-C-I (227).docx

120 KBs Word File

Students Have Also Explored These Related Calculus Questions!