The radius of a bigger sphere is 16 cm more than the radius of a smaller…

2024

The radius of a bigger sphere is 16 cm more than the radius of a smaller sphere. The difference between their surface areas is 1408π cm². Find the diameter of the bigger sphere.

  1. A.

    38 cm

  2. B.

    42 cm

  3. C.

    89 cm

  4. D.

    138 cm

Attempted by 6 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Concept: The surface area of a sphere of radius r is S = 4πr2. When two spheres' radii differ, the difference of their surface areas factors using the difference-of-squares identity: R2 − r2 = (R − r)(R + r).

Applying to this problem:

  1. Let the smaller sphere's radius be r, so the bigger sphere's radius is R = r + 16 (given “16 cm more”), i.e. R − r = 16.

  2. The surface-area difference is 4π(R2 − r2) = 1408π, so R2 − r2 = 352.

  3. Factor using the difference-of-squares identity: (R − r)(R + r) = 352.

  4. Substitute R − r = 16: 16(R + r) = 352, so R + r = 22.

  5. Now solve the pair R − r = 16 and R + r = 22 together — adding them eliminates r and gives 2R = 38, so R = 19 cm (and r = 3 cm).

  6. The diameter of the bigger sphere is 2R = 38 cm.

Cross-check: With R = 19 cm and r = 3 cm, 4π(R2 − r2) = 4π(361 − 9) = 4π(352) = 1408π cm², which matches the given difference — confirming the diameter is 38 cm.

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