One cubic foot of water weighs about 62 pounds. How much will the water weigh in a swimming pool that is 20 feet wide, 40 feet long, and 5 feet deep? Explain your reasoning. Use 18pt font size, boldface, and red color for your answer.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The total weight of the water in the swimming pool is 248,000 pounds.
To determine this weight, we start by calculating the volume of the pool. The dimensions provided are 20 feet in width, 40 feet in length, and 5 feet in depth. Using the formula for volume:
Volume = width × length × depth Volume = 20 feet × 40 feet × 5 feet Volume = 4000 cubic feet
Each cubic foot of water weighs 62 pounds. By multiplying the total volume by the weight per cubic foot:
Weight = volume × weight per cubic foot Weight = 4000 cubic feet × 62 pounds per cubic foot Weight = 248,000 pounds
The reasoning behind this calculation follows basic principles of volume and weight conversion. The pool itself is a rectangular prism, so its volume is found by multiplying its three dimensions. Since the weight of water is given per cubic foot, we apply direct multiplication to scale it up to the entire pool’s volume.
This approach ensures accuracy because it relies on unit consistency. The dimensions are expressed in feet, matching the unit of the weight per cubic foot. No conversions between units are necessary, simplifying the calculation process.
Additionally, this method applies universally to other objects with known densities or weights per volume unit. If a different liquid were used, the process would remain the same, requiring only an updated weight per cubic foot value. The logical sequence of multiplying dimensions first and then applying the weight factor avoids unnecessary complexity and maintains clarity.
Thus, the water in the swimming pool weighs 248,000 pounds.
