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How to Find Radius of a Sphere

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Calculated Radius (r)
5.00 cm
Diameter: 10.00 cm Surface Area: 314.16 cm²
Volume Properties: 523.60 cm³ 0.52 Liters

Formula & Variables

r = ³√[ (3V) / (4π) ]
V = volume of sphere
r = radius of sphere
π ≈ 3.1416 (approx)

Example

Radius = 5 cm
V = ⁴⁄₃ × 3.1416 × 5³
V = ⁴⁄₃ × 3.1416 × 125
V = 523.60 cm³

Mathematical Derivation & Proof: How to Find Radius of a Sphere

The mathematical equation for the volume of a sphere, V = ⁴⁄₃πr³, is one of the most elegant achievements in classical and modern mathematics.

🏛️ Archimedes' Historic Cylinder Theorem:

In 225 BC, Archimedes proved that a sphere inscribed inside a cylinder has exactly two-thirds the volume of that cylinder. Since the cylinder's volume is \( V_{ ext{cyl}} = ext{base} imes ext{height} = (\pi r^2)(2r) = 2\pi r^3 \), taking two-thirds yields: \[ V_{ ext{sphere}} = rac{2}{3} imes (2\pi r^3) = rac{4}{3}\pi r^3 \]

Calculus Proof via Disk Slices

We can also prove the formula by integrating thin circular cross-sectional disks along the horizontal axis from \( x = -r \) to \( x = +r \):

\[ V = \int_{-r}^{r} \pi y^2 \, dx = \int_{-r}^{r} \pi (r^2 - x^2) \, dx \] \[ V = 2\pi \left[ r^2 x - rac{x^3}{3} ight]_{0}^{r} = 2\pi \left( r^3 - rac{r^3}{3} ight) = 2\pi \left( rac{2}{3}r^3 ight) = rac{4}{3}\pi r^3 \]

Common Questions About How to Find Radius of a Sphere

Simply enter your known measurements into the input boxes above. Select your preferred measurement unit and decimal precision. The calculator updates and outputs exact step-by-step arithmetic proofs in real time.
The radius (r) is the distance from the center to any point on the outer surface. The diameter (d) is the total straight distance across the shape through its center (d = 2r).
The factor of 4/3 comes from the integration of circular cross-sectional disks from -r to +r, or from Archimedes proof demonstrating that a sphere has exactly two-thirds the volume of its circumscribed cylinder.
Yes! Click the 📋 Copy button on the result box to copy formatted mathematical output with units, or click 🔗 Share to copy a shareable web link.

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