Water and wastewater · Worked step by step
How many gallons are in 2,000 cubic feet?
If math has never been your thing, you are in the right place. Try it on paper first, then we write it out with you, one small step at a time, and explain every step in plain words so you never lose the thread.
The problem
A basin holds 2,000 cubic feet of water. How many gallons is that?
Grab a pen and paper first
Give it a real try on paper before you watch. If you get stuck, take a hint. If you go blank, that is fine, press play and we will walk it through together.
Watch it solved, with you
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Press play and I’ll write it out with you, one small step at a time.
Every step gets a plain-words explanation here, so you always know exactly what just happened and why.
The written version, step by step
- 1
Write down what you know
cubic feet = 2,000 • 1 cubic foot = 7.48 gal
- We have 2,000 cubic feet of space filled with water.
- Each cubic foot holds 7.48 gallons.
- So we need 2,000 of those.
- 2
Multiply cubic feet by 7.48
gallons = 2,000 × 7.48 • gallons = 14,960
- 2,000 cubic feet, each holding 7.48 gallons, means 2,000 × 7.48.
- 2,000 × 7 = 14,000, and 2,000 × 0.48 = 960.
- Add them: 14,000 + 960 = 14,960 gallons.
Quick trick: Estimate first: 2,000 × 7.5 = 15,000. The real answer, 14,960, is right next to it.
Remember this for good
One cubic foot of water holds 7.48 gallons. So cubic feet × 7.48 gives gallons.
7.48 is the other magic water number: the gallons in one cubic foot. Whenever you have cubic feet and want gallons, 7.48 is the bridge.
Solve it fast next time
- Cubic feet to gallons: × 7.48.
- Gallons back to cubic feet: ÷ 7.48.
- 7.48 is close to 7.5, so a quick estimate is cubic feet × 7.5.
The answer: 14,960 gallons.