Calculating the Depth of a Pit Filled with Sand

When dealing with practical problems involving measurements and volumes, understanding the basic formulas can be very helpful. For instance, consider a scenario where a pit measuring 10 meters in length and 2 meters in width is filled with 4.8 cubic meters of sand. What is the depth of the pit?

Introduction

This article will guide you through the process of calculating the depth of the pit. We will apply the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism and demonstrate how to rearrange it to solve for the depth. This method can be generalized and applied to similar problems involving the volume of various shapes.

Problem Statement

Given the dimensions of the pit and the volume of sand filled, we need to determine the depth. The measurements are as follows:

Length of the pit: 10 meters (m) Width of the pit: 2 meters (m) Volume of sand: 4.8 cubic meters (m3)

Calculation Process

The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is given by:

Volume Length times; Width times; Depth

To find the depth, we rearrange the formula:

Depth Volume / (Length times; Width)

Step-by-Step Solution

Substituting the given values into the formula:

Depth 4.8 m3 / (10 m times; 2 m)

First, calculate the product of the length and width:

10 m times; 2 m 20 m2

Now, divide the volume by the area:

Depth 4.8 m3 / 20 m2

Perform the division:

Depth 0.24 m

Alternatively, 0.24 meters can be converted to centimeters for better visualization:

0.24 m 24 cm

Conclusion

The depth of the pit is 0.24 meters or 24 centimeters. This simple calculation can be useful in logistics, construction, and similar fields where understanding and managing volumes is crucial.

Related Keywords

pit depth calculation volume of rectangular prism sand volume calculation