Cylinder Calculation Calculator

Cylinder Formulas:

\[ V = \pi r^2 h \] \[ A = 2 \pi r h + 2 \pi r^2 \]

Volume (V):

Surface Area (A):

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1. What is Cylinder Calculation?

The cylinder calculator computes the volume and surface area of a right circular cylinder. These calculations are fundamental in geometry and have practical applications in engineering, manufacturing, and physics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard cylinder formulas:

\[ V = \pi r^2 h \] \[ A = 2 \pi r h + 2 \pi r^2 \]

Where:

\( V \) — Volume of the cylinder
\( A \) — Total surface area
\( r \) — Radius of the base
\( h \) — Height of the cylinder
\( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.14159)

Explanation: The volume formula calculates the space inside the cylinder, while the area formula computes the total surface including both circular bases and the lateral surface.

3. Importance of Cylinder Calculations

Details: These calculations are essential for determining capacity of cylindrical containers, designing pipes and tubes, calculating material requirements, and solving various engineering problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the radius and height in consistent units (both in meters, inches, etc.). The results will be in corresponding cubic units for volume and square units for area.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between lateral and total surface area?
A: Lateral area includes only the curved surface (2πrh), while total area includes both circular bases (2πr²) in addition to the lateral surface.

Q2: How does changing radius affect volume compared to height?
A: Volume is more sensitive to radius changes since it's squared in the formula, while height has a linear relationship.

Q3: Can this calculator be used for hollow cylinders?
A: No, this calculates solid cylinders. For hollow cylinders, you'd need to subtract the inner cylinder's volume/area.

Q4: What if my cylinder isn't a right circular cylinder?
A: These formulas only apply to right circular cylinders where the sides are perpendicular to the bases.

Q5: How precise are the calculations?
A: The calculator uses PHP's built-in π constant with about 14 decimal places of precision, though results are displayed to 2 decimal places.