Question

A cylindrical container holds three tennis balls. The diameter of the container is 3 inches, and it’s height is 8.5 inches. The diameter of each ball is 2.5 inches. What is the unused volume of the container when it is holding all three balls ?

Answer 1

Answer;

35.540 cubic inches

Explanation;

First we find the volume of the cylindrical container:

V = π(r^2)h

d = 3

r = 3/2 = 1.5

V = π(1.5^2)(8.5)

= 60.083 cubic inches

Then we find the volume of three tennis balls:

volume of one ball (sphere):

V = (4/3)π(r^3)

d = 2.5

r = 2.5/2 = 1.25

V = (4/3)π(1.25^3) = 8.181

volume of three spheres:

3 × V = 3 × 8.181

= 24.543 cubic inches

Then we get the difference to find the unused volume of the container:

60.083 - 24.543 = 35.540 cubic inches