In Parshat Noach we learn Hashem told Noach to build an ark according to a measurement called an amah. We usually translate this as “a cubit.” The ark had a length of 300 cubits, a width of 50 cubits and height of 30 cubits (Bereishit 6:15). But how much does that work out to be in modern day feet? Modern day rabbis rule that an amah is close to 20 inches. Using the fact that there are 12 inches in a foot, answer these following questions:

1. How long was Noach’s ark in feet?
2. How wide was Noach’s ark in feet?
3. How high was Noach’s ark in feet?
4. The playing field of a football game is 300 feet long and a modern day aircraft carrier is about 1,000 feet long. How do they compare to Noach’s ark?

Solution:

1. The length was 300 * 20/12 = 500 feet
2. The width was 50 * 20/12 = 83.33 feet
3. The height was 30 * 20/12 = 50 feet
4. The ark was about 200 feet longer than a football field and 500 feet shorter than an aircraft carrier.

Ari Blinder is a math educator living in Highland Park and the owner of Math for the Masses, an innovative math tutoring and consulting company. Visit www.math4masses.com for more math activities. Ari can be reached at [email protected].