[robersons]

I am supposed to type a two and a half page paper on what surface area and volume is used for in many occupations. I have started on it and don't think I can go into enough detail to make it as long as it is supposed to be. What should I do?

[Perito]

There's a huge number of items for which surface area and volume are important. Most food companies make tin cans and paperboard boxes. They try to maximize volume while minimizing surface area to keep costs low. Of course, they also try to make the box appear large and they want to sell as little as possible. These goals compete.

Surface area is important in construction. Roofs are shingled using surface area calculations. Homes are insulated and the loss of heat is proportional to the surface area of the house -- and specifically to the surface area of the windows (since they are the biggest losses) relative to the rest of the house. Of course, you want to maximize volume while minimizing cost -- and hence surface area.

Airplanes - surface area of the wings gives it lift. Volume of the airplane is the cargo (people, freight, etc). You need to maximize volume while minimizing weight. But, you also need the area of the wings to give it lift.

There are a huge number of things that use surface area and volume. Use your imagination.