Estimating Volume of an Average Adult Human

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on estimating the volume of an average adult human in cubic meters. Participants explore various methods for calculation, including using height and waist circumference, as well as considering mass and density.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests multiplying average height by waist circumference to estimate volume but struggles to find average waist size.
  • Another participant corrects this approach, recommending finding the radius from waist circumference, calculating the area, and then multiplying by height.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that knowing an object's weight and density could simplify finding its volume, especially for irregular shapes.
  • Several participants reference Archimedes, with one humorously questioning what he would do in this situation.
  • Another participant suggests using mass and density, assuming the density of a body is similar to that of water, while noting the presence of fat and protein which have different densities.
  • There are light-hearted exchanges about the spelling of Archimedes' name, indicating a playful tone in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on how to estimate human volume, with no consensus reached on a single method or approach.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about average measurements and densities are not explicitly stated, and the discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps involved in the proposed methods.

blimkie
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For a current assignment i am trying to determine the volume of an average adult human in metres cubed.

My strategy is to mulitply the average hieght by wast circumfrance for a rough estimate and convert to metres however i am having a hard time findng the average waist size.

i found that the avg hieght of a male is 5'9" and the avg female is 5'4"

feedback would be apreciated

thank you.
 
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correction use the cirumfrene of the avg waist to find the radius then find area and mulitply by the hieght.
 
Surely the way to find the volume of an oddly-shaped object would be easy, if you knew, say, its weight and its density?
 
Ouch...
I'm 5'8 - female.
Not... <i>quite</i> average.
 
What would Archimedis do?
 
Try using mass and density, and assume that the density of a body is approximately that of water. In addition to water, bodies contain fat and protein. Fat is less dense than water, and protein is slightly more dense than water.

http://www.seps.org/oracle/oracle.archive/Life_Science.Biochem/2001.06/000991410254.7589.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gokul43201 said:
What would Archimedis do?
Great hint, Gokul!
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
arildno said:
Great hint, Gokul!
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
I think Archimedis would immerse himself in the problem. :biggrin:
 
Just don't forget he was spelled Archimedes :-)
 
  • #10
Borek said:
Just don't forget he was spelled Archimedes :-)
Actually, "he" was probably spelled more like αρΧεμεΔες.
 
Last edited:

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