Math Problem of the Week - Algebra and Up - May 9, 2021 to May 15, 2021

Algebra and Up: 

Question: A strawberry has 1 seed per 5 square millimeters on its surface. Use the formula for the surface area of a cone - surface area = πr(r+sqrt[h2 + r2])—to approximate the number of seeds on an almost-cone-shaped strawberry whose height is 36 mm and whose diameter at its widest is 54 mm. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer: 1,221 seeds

Solution: Answers may vary, depending on where in the process you round. Since the diameter of the strawberry is 54 mm, its radius is 27 mm. When we substitute those values into the equation, we find that the surface area of a cone with the same dimensions is 1,944π square millimeters. If we divide that by 5, we get 388.8π, or about 1,221. So, we can approximate that the strawberry has 1,221 seeds.