# Math Help - Volume of object in water

1. ## Volume of object in water

A container holds 5 liters. Initially, the container is 1/2 full of water. When an object is placed in the container, the object sinks to the bottom and the container becomes 7/8 full. What is the volume of the object in cubic centimeters? Explain your reasoning.

Any help with this question would be very appreciated! Thanks.

2. Originally Posted by shadow_2145
A container holds 5 liters. Initially, the container is 1/2 full of water. When an object is placed in the container, the object sinks to the bottom and the container becomes 7/8 full. What is the volume of the object in cubic centimeters? Explain your reasoning.

Any help with this question would be very appreciated! Thanks.

How much water is in the container. $5 \cdot \frac{1}{2}=2.5 \mbox{L}$

after the object is placed in the container. $5 \cdot \frac{7}{8}=4.375 \mbox{L}$

assuming that the object doesn't absorb any water its volume must be the difference of the two volumes so V=4.375-2.5=1.875

Good luck

3. Originally Posted by shadow_2145
A container holds 5 liters. Initially, the container is 1/2 full of water. When an object is placed in the container, the object sinks to the bottom and the container becomes 7/8 full. What is the volume of the object in cubic centimeters? Explain your reasoning.

Any help with this question would be very appreciated! Thanks.
You only can calculate the volume of the object if it is covered completely by the water. This part of your question was done by TheEmptySet.

If there are parts of the object which towers above the surface of the water you only can calculate the volume of this part of the object which is under water. That means in this case the problem is unsolvable.