Assume that the flask shown in the diagram can be modeled as a combination of a sphere and a cylinder. Based on this assumption, the volume of the flask is cubic inches. If both the sphere and the cylinder are dilated by a scale factor of 2, the resulting volume would be times the original volume.

The answer is below

Step-by-step explanation:

From the diagram of the flask attached, the diameter of the cylinder is 1 inch and its height (h) is 3 inches. The radius of the cylinder (r) = diameter / 2 = 1/2 = 0.5 inch

The volume of the cylinder = πr²h = π(0.5)² × 3 = 2.36 in³

While for the sphere the diameter is 4.5 in. The radius of the sphere R = diameter / 2 = 4.5/2 = 2.25

The volume of the sphere = 4/3 (πR³) = 4/3 × π × 2.25³ = 47.71 in³

Volume of the flask = The volume of the cylinder  + The volume of the sphere = 2.36 + 47.71 = 50.07 in³

If the sphere and the cylinder are dilated by a scale factor of 2. For the cylinder its height (h') = 3/2 = 1.5 inch and its radius (r') = 0.5/2 = 0.025

The new volume of the cylinder = πr'²h' = π(0.25)² × 1.5 = 0.29 in³

While for the sphere The radius of the sphere R' = 2.25 / 2 = 1.125

The new volume of the sphere = 4/3 (πR'³) = 4/3 × π × 1.125³ = 5.96 in³

New Volume of the flask = The new volume of the cylinder  + The new volume of the sphere = 0.29 + 5.96 = 6.25 in³

The ratio of the new volume to original volume = New Volume of the flask / Volume of the flask = 6.25 / 50.07 = 1/8 = 0.125

The resulting volume would be 0.125 times the original volume

cross multiplying, we get :

⇒ (3) × (5) = (9) × (x)

⇒ 15 = 9x