The volume of a three-dimensional figure is the number of cubes it can hold. Each cube represents a unit of measure called a cubic unit.
To find a prism’s volume, multiply its length by its width by its height. 4 cm · 3 cm · 1cm = 12 cm3 1 cm 4 cm 3 cm length · width · height = volume area of base · height = volume
The volume of a rectangular prism is the area of its base times its height. This formula can be used to find the volume of any prism. VOLUME OF A PRISM The volume V of a prism is the area of its base B times its height h. V = Bh
Example 1 Find the volume of the prism. 4 ft 4 ft 12 ft V = Bh Use the formula. The bases are rectangles. The area of each rectangular base is 12 · 4 = 48 V = 48 · 4 Substitute for B and h. V = 192 Multiply. The volume of the prism is 192 ft3.
Example 2 Find the volume of the prism. V = Bh Use the formula. The base is a triangle. The base is · 3 · 4 = 6 1 2 V = 6 · 6 Substitute for B and h. V = 36 Multiply. The volume of the prism is 36 cm3.
Find the volume of the prism. Example 3 Find the volume of the prism. 6 ft 6 ft 8 ft V = Bh Use the formula. The bases are rectangles. The area of each rectangular base is 8 · 6 = 48 V = 48 · 6 Substitute for B and h. V = 288 Multiply. The volume to the nearest tenth is 288 ft3.
Find the volume of the prism. Example 4 Find the volume of the prism. 5 in 4 in. 1.5 in. V = Bh Use the formula. The base is a triangle. The base is · 1.5 · 5 = 3.75 1 2 V = 3.75 · 4 Substitute for B and h. V = 15 Multiply. The volume of the prism is 15 in3.
Lesson Quiz: Part I Find how many cubes the prism holds. Then give the prisms volume. 1. 2. 48 cubic units 792 cm3