A

David

Darling

isovolume problem

The isovolume problem asks: What surface encloses the maximum volume per unit surface? The answer is a sphere, for which:

 

   volume/surface area = (4/3πr 3)/(4πr 2) = 1/3r

 

where r is the sphere's radius. Proof of the solution to the isovolume problem came as recently as 1882 from Schwarz.