Bilal measured the outside height of the pea soup can to be 11.8 cm. Why did he estimate a smaller number for the inside height?

Bilal estimated a smaller number for the inside height because the thickness of the metal used to make the can takes up space inside the can, reducing the actual available height of the can on the inside.

Bilal estimated a smaller number for the inside height because the can has a top and bottom, which have some thickness. This thickness reduces the inside height compared to the outside height.