Problem Statement
Show that the semi-vertical angle of a right circular cone of given surface area and maximum volume is $\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)$.
Verified Solution & Marking Scheme
Establish geometry and express total surface area S
Let the cone have radius $r$, height $h$, slant height $l = \sqrt{r^2 + h^2}$, and semi-vertical angle $\alpha$. The total surface area is constant:
$S = \pi r l + \pi r^2 = \pi r \sqrt{r^2 + h^2} + \pi r^2$
Solving for $l$:
$l = \frac{S - \pi r^2}{\pi r} \implies l^2 = \frac{(S - \pi r^2)^2}{\pi^2 r^2}$
Since $h^2 = l^2 - r^2$, we have:
$h^2 = \frac{(S - \pi r^2)^2}{\pi^2 r^2} - r^2 = \frac{S(S - 2\pi r^2)}{\pi^2 r^2}$
Formulate Volume function V and V²
Volume $V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h$. Squaring to eliminate radical:
$V^2 = \frac{1}{9}\pi^2 r^4 h^2 = \frac{1}{9}\pi^2 r^4 \cdot \frac{S(S - 2\pi r^2)}{\pi^2 r^2} = \frac{S}{9}(S r^2 - 2\pi r^4)$
Let $Z = V^2$. Maximizing $Z$ is equivalent to maximizing $V$ since $V > 0$.
Differentiate with respect to r and find critical points
$\frac{dZ}{dr} = \frac{S}{9}(2S r - 8\pi r^3)$
Setting $\frac{dZ}{dr} = 0$ for stationary point ($r \ne 0$):
$2Sr - 8\pi r^3 = 0 \implies 2r(S - 4\pi r^2) = 0 \implies S = 4\pi r^2$
Substitute $S = \pi r l + \pi r^2$:
$4\pi r^2 = \pi r l + \pi r^2 \implies 3\pi r^2 = \pi r l \implies l = 3r$
Second derivative test and semi-vertical angle conclusion
$\frac{d^2 Z}{dr^2} = \frac{S}{9}(2S - 24\pi r^2)$
At $S = 4\pi r^2$:
$\frac{d^2 Z}{dr^2} = \frac{S}{9}(8\pi r^2 - 24\pi r^2) = -\frac{16\pi r^2 S}{9} < 0$
Hence, Volume $V$ is maximum when $l = 3r$.
In right triangle formed by semi-vertical angle $\alpha$:
$\sin \alpha = \frac{r}{l} = \frac{r}{3r} = \frac{1}{3} \implies \alpha = \sin^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)$
Hence proved.