Question

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

Answer 1

we know that
volume of a sphere=(4/3)*pi*r³------> volume of a tennis ball
for r=2.5/2-----> 1.25 in
volume of a sphere=(4/3)*pi*1.25³------> 8.18 in³
volume of 3 tennis ball=3*8.18-----> 24.54 in³

volume of a cylinder=pi*r²*h
r=1.25 in
h=2.5*3-----> 7.5 in
volume of a cylinder=pi*1.25²*7.5-----> 36.82 in³

the volume of the space NOT occupied by the tennis balls=36.82-24.54
the volume of the space NOT occupied by the tennis balls=12.28 in³

the answer is
12.3 in³