Final answer:
The storage tank's volume, when calculated using the formula for the volume of a cylinder (V = πr^2h) and converted to gallons, is approximately 2.07 × 10^6 gallons. The tank can hold the 1.5 million gallons of crude oil your boss wants to unload.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the volume of the storage tank in gallons, we use the formula for the volume of a cylinder – V = πr^2h, where ‘V’ denotes volume, ‘r’ is the radius, and ‘h’ is the height. First, we calculate the volume in cubic yards and then convert this to gallons.
The radius of the tank is 12.5 yards and the height is 16.5 yards, so the volume in cubic yards is:
V = π(12.5 yds)^2(16.5 yds)
V ≈ 10234.4 cubic yards
Since there are 201.974 gallons in one cubic yard, the volume in gallons is:
Volume in gallons = 10234.4 yds^3 × 201.974 gal/yd^3
Volume in gallons ≈ 2066479.9 gallons
The tank can hold approximately 2066479.9 gallons, which is enough for the requested 1500000 gallons of crude oil. Therefore, you would tell your boss that the tank can safely hold the oil.
To ensure the answer is presented to three significant figures, the volume in gallons is approximately 2.07 × 10^6 gallons.