To find out how many times larger the volume of the saltwater tank is than the volume of the freshwater tank, we first need to calculate the volume of each tank.
The volume \( V \) of a cube is given by the formula:
\[ V = \text{side length}^3 \]
Freshwater Tank:
- Side length = 15 cm \[ V_{\text{freshwater}} = 15^3 = 15 \times 15 \times 15 = 3375 \text{ cm}^3 \]
Saltwater Tank:
- Side length = 45 cm \[ V_{\text{saltwater}} = 45^3 = 45 \times 45 \times 45 = 91125 \text{ cm}^3 \]
Next, we find how many times larger the volume of the saltwater tank is than the volume of the freshwater tank by dividing the volume of the saltwater tank by the volume of the freshwater tank:
\[ \text{Factor} = \frac{V_{\text{saltwater}}}{V_{\text{freshwater}}} = \frac{91125}{3375} \]
Calculating the division: \[ \frac{91125}{3375} = 27 \]
Thus, the volume of the saltwater tank is 27 times larger than the volume of the freshwater tank.
The correct response is: 27