DIFFERENCE in measurement -- HOW ?

Question

two soup cans of equal size, one layed on its side on the floor next to the cupboards and the other rightside -up atop the counter.now measure from the top of the sideways can to the top of the can on the counter, record that! Now turn each can opposite of how they were and measure the same way as before. why is their a difference and why? you can use any two identical objects !

Answer 1

This can only actually be valid if the diameter of the can is equal to its height. Meaning that both heights be the same.

Let the diameter of the can be "d"...and its height be "h".

Let the distance from the floor to the table top be "L".

Then:

Case 1: The can on the floor is standing upright, the one on the table is on its side. The height from the top of the can on the floor to the one on the table is L + d - h

Case 2: The can on the floor is standing on its side, the one on the table is upright. This time, the height from the top of the can on the floor to the one on the table is L + h - d.

Now....say.....is the distance in case 1 equal to that of case 2?

Here's how you find out.

Set L + d - h = L + h - d

==> you find that h = d.

In other words, the only way the heights can be the same is of the diameter of the can is equal to its height.

You can go further and then say.....which height is greater.

Just set: Case 1 > Case 2

==> L + d - h > L + h - d

==> You find that the only way this is true is if h > d.....meaning this is true if the height of the can is greater than its diameter.

And, if you go the other way and ask when is case 2 > Case 1 you get similar results.....namely  when d > h....that the diameter is greater than the height of the can.

Make any sense?

d**n good observation, or at least a d**n good question, however it came about.

:)

Answer 2

i don't no what u mean