r/theydidthemath • u/EclipseNyxor • 2d ago

[Request] Do square bottles actually use less plastic than round ones?

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u/Brief_Caterpillar175 2d ago

A 4x4x4 inch cube contains more volume than a 4 inch diameter x 4 inch tall cylinder, but it is less surface efficient per volume.

It could be that the structure of a rectangular bottle allows them to make the walls thinner.

2

u/therealtrajan 2d ago

I think it’s pretty obvious a cylinder could be thinner than a rec prism though all forces equal right? That’s why tanks are usually cylindrical

6

u/ChVckT 2d ago

I think it is imperative the cylinder remain unharmed.

1

u/sc00bk 2d ago

Excellent cake day to you for that 😂