Digital SATMath: Geometry and TrigonometryMedium

A cylindrical water tank has a diameter of 8 feet and a height of 10 feet. If 1 cubic foot of water is approximately 7.48 gallons, what is the maximum volume of water, in gallons, the tank can hold?

  1. A502.65 gallons
  2. B75167.36 gallons
  3. C37583.68 gallons
  4. D1884.96 gallons
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. 37583.68 gallons

First, calculate the volume of the cylinder. The radius is half the diameter, so r = 8/2 = 4 feet. Volume (V) = πr²h = π * (4 feet)² * 10 feet = π * 16 * 10 = 160π cubic feet. Now, convert to gallons: 160π cubic feet * 7.48 gallons/cubic foot ≈ 160 * 3.14159 * 7.48 ≈ 37583.68 gallons.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This would be the volume in cubic feet if the radius was half of the diameter, but not converted to gallons.
  • B. This is double the correct answer, perhaps from using the diameter instead of radius squared in the volume formula.
  • D. This is the volume in cubic feet (160π), not converted to gallons.

Volume of a Cylinder

The amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional cylindrical object.

  • Formula: V = πr²h (where r is radius, h is height)
  • Units are cubic (e.g., cubic feet, cubic meters).
  • Represents the capacity of the cylinder.

Memory trick: Volume is like filling a box: Area of the base times the height.

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