Let the semi-vertical angle be α (the angle between the height and the slant height).
Given that slant height =l (fixed/constant)
From trigonometry in the right-angled triangle:
Height: h=lcosα
Radius: r=lsinα
Volume of cone =31πr2h
Substituting r and h:
V=31π(lsinα)2(lcosα)
V=31πl3sin2αcosα
To find maximum volume, differentiate with respect to α:
dαdV=31πl3[2sinαcosα⋅cosα+sin2α⋅(−sinα)]
dαdV=31πl3[2sinαcos2α−sin3α]
dαdV=31πl3sinα[2cos2α−sin2α]
Setting dαdV=0:
sinα[2cos2α−sin2α]=0
Since α=0:
2cos2α−sin2α=0
2cos2α=sin2α
Using sin2α=1−cos2α:
2cos2α=1−cos2α
3cos2α=1
cos2α=31
cosα=31
Therefore, the semi-vertical angle is:
α=cos−1(31)