Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc (KBLB)

[fza]

There is a difference between an estimate and an assumption.

We'll address that in a moment.

The estimate is based on known facts (dimensions and weight of cocoons) and geometry. Because of uncertainties in factors such as the dimensions and weight of cocoons, we end up with an approximate range, not a precise value. It is unlikely that this estimate is wrong by a factor of 2. That is to say, the pile looks to be about 36 inches wide, but it is NOT 18 or 72 inches wide. It looks to be about 16 inches high, but it is NOT 8 or 32 inches high.

We'll accept that you have two (width and height) of the three dimensional factors to calculate volume....width x height x depth.

A metric ton of uncompressed cocoons would generate a pile about 20 feet in diameter and about 6 feet in height and would yield about 100 kilos of reeled silk. The pile of silkworm cocoons shown in the photograph will yield less than 10 kilos of reeled silk. Not impressed ...
The KBLB way.

You sanctimoniously drone on about about differences between an estimate and an assumption, but you assume that the depth or diameter of the pile (which cannot be seen from that camera angle) is 36" or same as the pile width. Was the pile created by one drop of cocoons or more...you have to assume. Did the person creating the pile keep dropping cocoons from the same location or did they progressively move backwards away from the camera angle and there isn't a circular pile but a longer rectilinear pile. I guess we have to assume the geometry and the depth after all.

The DimesForShares way. So you assume it was a cone shaped pile. Back in elementary school if I came up with an answer like yours with such reasoning I would be sitting in the classroom corner wearing a cone shape hat that said "dunce".