The cubit is an ancient unit. Its length equals six palms. (A palm varies from 2

Question

The cubit is an ancient unit. Its length equals six palms. (A palm varies from 2.5 to 3.5 inches depending on the individual.) We are told Noah's ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. Estimate the volume of the ark (in cubic feet). Assume the ark has a shoe-box shape and that 1 palm = 3.10 inch.  

To appreciate the answer above, estimate the volume of a typical house. Assume a shoe-box shape, 55.0 feet long, 30.0 feet wide and 14.5 feet high. Calculate the ratio of the volume of the ark to that of the house.

Explanation / Answer

L = 300 cubits = 6 x 300 = 1800 palms = 3.1 x 1800 = 5,580 inches = 5,580/12 = 465 feet

W = 50 cubits = 6 x 50 = 300 palms = 3.1 x 300 = 930 inches = 930/12 = 77.5 feet

H = 30 cubits = 6 x 30 = 180 palms = 3.1 x 180 = 558 inches = 558/12 = 46.5 feet

Volume = 465 feet x 77.5 feet x 46.5 feet = 1,675,743 cubic feet

L = 55 cubits = 6 x 55 = 330 palms = 3.1 x 330 = 1,023 inches = 1,023/12 = 85.25 feet

W = 30 cubits = 6 x 30 = 180 palms = 3.1 x 180 = 558 inches = 558/12 = 46.5 feet

H = 14.5 cubits = 6 x 14.5 = 87 palms = 3.1 x 87 = 269.7 inches = 269.7/12 = 22.47 feet

Volume = 85.25 feet x 46.5 feet x 22.47 feet = 89,073 cubic feet

Ratio = 1,675,743/89,073 = 18.81

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