The volume of a cylinder is a function of 'r' and 'h'.
The problem statement above does not define the status of 'h'. Hence it <U>cannot <BR></U>
be solved (as stated - without assumption/s.)
It doesn't
need to define the status of h. All it is stating
is that the new radius is \(\displaystyle 1/2\) of the original radius.
It would have mentioned the height if there had been a change
in it, but because it did not, the height here is immaterial.
This is not an assumption. It would be trying to read too
much into the problem, for this particular question.
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Original radius = r
\(\displaystyle V = \pi r^2h\)
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New radius = \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}r\)
\(\displaystyle V = \pi(\frac{1}{2}r)^2h = \)
\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\pi r^2h\)
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Then the new volume is
\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}(480 \ cm^3) = \)
\(\displaystyle 120 \ cm^3\)