Question

Tennis balls with a diameter of 2.5 in.are sold in cans of three. The can is a cylinder. What is the volume of the space in the can that is not occupied by tennis balls? Assume the tennis balls touch the can on the sides, top, and bottom.

Answer 1

Using 3.14 for PI.

The radius of a ball and the can is half the diameter = 1.25

The height of the can is the height of 3 diameters = 7.5

Volume of one tennis ball:

4/3 x PI x 1.25^3 = 8.18 cubic inches.

Volume of 3 tennis balls: 3 x 8.18 = 24.54 cubic inches.

Volume of can:

PI x 1.25^2 x 7.5 = 36.80 cubic inches.

Space = 36.80 - 24.54 = 12.26 cubic inches.