Cubic Feet

Question

A farmer needs to purchase hay to feed his horses. He is on a budget and must buy the hay that is most economical. The two options he has are:

Round bale: 4 feet diameter and 5 feet height

Square bale: 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet

Square bale: 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet

Round bales are $25 a bale and square bales are $10 a bale.

The farmer must have at least 1000 cubic feet of hay. Round answers to the nearest whole bale. How much will he save by choosing one method over the other.

Answer 1

use the volume formulas for rectangular solid and cylindrical solid to compute the volume for each type.

then calculate the unit cost ($ / cubic ft) for each type.

 

select the type of bale having the smallest UNIT COST.

 

Note: you stated the dimensions of the square bales twice.