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How Much Oil?
In March 1989, the Exxon Valdez spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It was a big spill (10,800,000 gallons) but small when compared to the amount of oil used worldwide in a day: 3 billion gallons.

If the average school gymnasium can hold 1,300,000 gallons of oil, it would take about 8 gyms to hold the amount of oil spilled in Prince William Sound.

How many of the following would it take to hold that same amount of oil (numbers are approximate)?

1. Average house (holds 100,400 gallons)
2. Average classroom (holds 25,100 gallons)
3. Average living room (holds 14,000 gallons)

Solution
Divide 10,800,000 by each number.
Answers (rounded to the nearest whole number):
Houses -108
Classrooms - 430
Living rooms - 771

 

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Last Updated: 02/16/03
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