A hemispherical basin of diameter 150 cm holds 120 times the volume of a cylindrical tube. If the height of the tube is 15 cm, find the diameter (in cm) of the tube.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 25 cm

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Relate the hemisphere’s volume to a multiple (120×) of a cylinder’s volume to solve for the cylinder’s radius, then double it to get the diameter.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Hemisphere radius R = 150/2 = 75 cm.
  • Hemisphere volume V_h = (2/3)πR^3.
  • Cylinder height h = 15 cm; cylinder radius = r (unknown).
  • V_h = 120 × V_cylinder = 120 × πr^2h.


Concept / Approach:
Set (2/3)πR^3 = 120πr^2h, cancel π, solve for r, then diameter = 2r.


Step-by-Step Solution:

(2/3) * 75^3 = 120 * r^2 * 15Left side = 2/3 * 421875 = 281250Right side = 1800 r^2 ⇒ r^2 = 281250 / 1800 = 156.25r = 12.5 cm ⇒ diameter = 25 cm


Verification / Alternative check:
Square root of 156.25 is exactly 12.5; substitution confirms equality.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
24, 26, 27 cm are near but not exact; they fail the volume equality.


Common Pitfalls:
Using sphere instead of hemisphere volume; forgetting to double the radius to get diameter; arithmetic slips with large cubes.


Final Answer:
25 cm

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