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geometry intermediate
Problem
A sphere is inscribed in a truncated right circular cone as shown. The volume of the truncated cone is twice that of the sphere. What is the ratio of the radius of the bottom base of the truncated cone to the radius of the top base of the truncated cone?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Solution
First, we draw the vertical cross-section passing through the middle of the frustum. Let the top base have a diameter of and the bottom base has a diameter of . Then using the Pythagorean theorem we have: , which is equivalent to: . Subtracting from both sides, , and solving for , we end up with Next, we can find the volume of the frustum (truncated cone) and the sphere. Since we know , we can solve for using we get: Using , we get so we have: Dividing by , we get which is equivalent to by the Quadratic Formula, , so
Final answer
E