1. **State the problem:** We have a ball (sphere) of diameter 20 cm that fits exactly inside a cylindrical container. We need to find the maximum volume of liquid that can be poured into the container when it is empty. 2. **Understand the geometry:** Since the ball fits exactly inside the cylinder, the diameter of the sphere equals the diameter of the cylinder's base, and the height of the cylinder equals the diameter of the sphere. 3. **Given data:** - Diameter of sphere $d = 20$ cm - Radius of sphere and cylinder base $r = \frac{d}{2} = 10$ cm - Height of cylinder $h = d = 20$ cm - Use $\pi = 3.14$ 4. **Formula for volume of cylinder:** $$V = \pi r^2 h$$ 5. **Calculate the volume:** $$V = 3.14 \times 10^2 \times 20$$ $$V = 3.14 \times 100 \times 20$$ $$V = 3.14 \times 2000$$ $$V = 6280$$ 6. **Interpretation:** The maximum volume of liquid that can be poured into the cylindrical container is the volume of the cylinder itself, which is $6280$ cm³. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{6280 \text{ cm}^3}$$