The surface area of an exercise ball is 13,266.5 cm^2. Using 3.14 as the value of pi, what is the diameter of the exercise ball?

1 answer

To find the diameter of the exercise ball based on its surface area, we can use the formula for the surface area of a sphere:

\[ A = 4 \pi r^2 \]

Where:

  • \( A \) is the surface area,
  • \( r \) is the radius,
  • \( \pi \) is approximately 3.14.

We're given that the surface area \( A = 13,266.5 , \text{cm}^2 \). We need to solve for the radius \( r \) first and then find the diameter \( d \) using the relationship \( d = 2r \).

  1. Substitute the known values into the surface area formula:

\[ 13,266.5 = 4 \times 3.14 \times r^2 \]

  1. Calculate \( 4 \times 3.14 \):

\[ 4 \times 3.14 = 12.56 \]

Thus, the equation simplifies to:

\[ 13,266.5 = 12.56 \times r^2 \]

  1. Now, solve for \( r^2 \):

\[ r^2 = \frac{13,266.5}{12.56} \]

Calculating the right-hand side:

\[ r^2 \approx \frac{13,266.5}{12.56} \approx 1,056.0 \]

  1. Take the square root to find \( r \):

\[ r \approx \sqrt{1,056.0} \approx 32.5 , \text{cm} \]

  1. Finally, calculate the diameter \( d \):

\[ d = 2r = 2 \times 32.5 = 65.0 , \text{cm} \]

Hence, the diameter of the exercise ball is approximately 65.0 cm.