A solid metallic cylinder of base radius $3\text{ cm}$ and height $5\text{ cm}$ is melted to form cones, each of height $1\text{ cm}$ and base radius $1\text{ mm}$. The number of cones is
Aptitude
Volume and Surface Area
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A450
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B1350
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C4500
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D13500
Answer
Correct Answer: 13500
Explanation
### Concept & Unit Conversion in Volume
When a large object is melted to form smaller identical objects, the number of smaller objects is the total original volume divided by the volume of one smaller object. **Crucially, all dimensions must be in the same units.**
$$Number\ of\ Objects = \frac{Volume\ of\ Large\ Cylinder}{Volume\ of\ One\ Small\ Cone}$$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Step 1:** Convert all units to centimeters.
Cylinder: $R = 3\text{ cm}$, $H = 5\text{ cm}$
Cone: height $h = 1\text{ cm}$, radius $r = 1\text{ mm} = 0.1\text{ cm} = \frac{1}{10}\text{ cm}$
* **Step 2:** Calculate the volume of the original cylinder.
$V_{cylinder} = \pi R^2 H = \pi (3)^2 (5) = 45\pi\text{ cm}^3$
* **Step 3:** Calculate the volume of a single small cone.
$V_{cone} = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h = \frac{1}{3}\pi \left(\frac{1}{10}\right)^2 (1) = \frac{1}{3}\pi \left(\frac{1}{100}\right) = \frac{\pi}{300}\text{ cm}^3$
* **Step 4:** Divide the total volume by the single cone volume.
$Number\ of\ cones = \frac{45\pi}{\frac{\pi}{300}}$
$Number\ of\ cones = 45 \times 300 = 13500$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Write the volumes as a single combined fraction before simplifying:
$\frac{\pi \times 3 \times 3 \times 5}{\frac{1}{3} \times \pi \times 0.1 \times 0.1 \times 1}$. Cancel the $\pi$ immediately.
Numerator = $45$. Denominator = $\frac{0.01}{3} = \frac{1}{300}$.
$45 \times 300 = 13500$.
### Common Pitfall
Failing to convert the $1\text{ mm}$ radius to centimeters will yield $r = 1\text{ cm}$, leading to $V_{cone} = \frac{\pi}{3}$, resulting in an answer of $135$ (which isn't an option, but would cause panic). Always harmonize units first.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **13500**.