The cubit is an ancient unit. Its length equals six palms. (A palm varies from 2.5 to 3.5 inches depending on the individual.) We are told Noah’s ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. Estimate the volume of the ark (in cubic feet). Assume the ark has a shoe-box shape and that 1 palm = 3.10 inch.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To estimate the volume of Noah’s ark in cubic feet, we need to break it down step by step using the given information.
Step 1: Convert Cubits to Inches
A cubit is 6 palms, and each palm is 3.10 inches. Therefore, the length of 1 cubit in inches is:1 cubit=6×3.10 inches=18.6 inches\text{1 cubit} = 6 \times 3.10 \text{ inches} = 18.6 \text{ inches}1 cubit=6×3.10 inches=18.6 inches
Step 2: Convert the Dimensions of the Ark from Cubits to Inches
We know the dimensions of Noah’s ark in cubits:
- Length = 300 cubits
- Width = 50 cubits
- Height = 30 cubits
Now, converting these measurements into inches:
- Length = 300×18.6=5,580300 \times 18.6 = 5,580300×18.6=5,580 inches
- Width = 50×18.6=93050 \times 18.6 = 93050×18.6=930 inches
- Height = 30×18.6=55830 \times 18.6 = 55830×18.6=558 inches
Step 3: Convert Inches to Feet
There are 12 inches in 1 foot. So, we can now convert the dimensions of the ark into feet:
- Length = 5,58012≈465\frac{5,580}{12} \approx 465125,580≈465 feet
- Width = 93012≈77.5\frac{930}{12} \approx 77.512930≈77.5 feet
- Height = 55812≈46.5\frac{558}{12} \approx 46.512558≈46.5 feet
Step 4: Calculate the Volume of the Ark
The volume VVV of a rectangular object is given by the formula:V=length×width×heightV = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height}V=length×width×height
Substituting the values we found:V=465×77.5×46.5V = 465 \times 77.5 \times 46.5V=465×77.5×46.5V≈1,616,437.5 cubic feetV \approx 1,616,437.5 \text{ cubic feet}V≈1,616,437.5 cubic feet
Conclusion:
The estimated volume of Noah’s ark is approximately 1,616,438 cubic feet. This is a rough estimate, based on the assumption that the ark had a simple rectangular shape, as specified in the question.
