On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground and leaked millions of gallons of oil into Prince William Sound. The spill covered approximately 11,000 square miles of ocean. The oil spread out in a circular pattern and the radius increased by 0.10 mph. Use π = 3.14.At this rate, how many hours did it take for oil to cover the area?
For a circle, area = πr², so the radius is r = √(11,000 ÷ 3.14) ≈ 59.19 miles. At an increase of 0.10 mile per hour, the time is 59.19 ÷ 0.10 ≈ 591.9 hours, which rounds to 592 hours. The correct choice is B, 592 hours.
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