Volume

Understanding
The Concept of Volume

By Jennifer Keel

I can.....

develop the concept that the volume of rectangular prisms with whole-number edge lengths can be found by counting the total number of cubes that fill a shape without gaps. 

• Volume is the amount of space a 3D object takes up
• We measure volume in cubic units
• For rectangular prisms, we count the number of unit cubes that fill the shape
• No gaps or overlaps allowed!

​Volume

Tools We Use to Find Volume

• Unit cubes
• Rulers
• Grid paper
• Digital tools
• Physical models
Let's explore how these help us measure volume!

Finding the Volume of a Shape

To find the volume of a shape we take the length x width x height or L x W x H = V

Multiple Choice

How do you find the volume of a shape?

• Length x width

• Length + width

• Length x width x height

• Length + width + height

1. Measure the length (L)

2. Measure the width (W)

3. Measure the height (H)

4. Multiply: L x W x H = V
   Remember: Volume is measured in cubic units (like cm3)

Step-By-Step for Finding Volume

​Length = 3 cm

​Width = 3 cm

​Height = 3 cm

Multiple Choice

What is the correct equation to find the volume of this cube?

• 3 × 3 = 9 cm³

• 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cm³

• 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 cm³

• 3 x 2 × 3 = 27 cm³

Multiple Choice

What is the volume of this rectangular prism?

• 27 cubic units
• 18 cubic units
• 9 cubic units
• 3 cubic units

Multiple Choice

What is the volume of this rectangular prism?

• 60 cubic centimeters
• 15 cubic centimeters
• 20 cubic centimeters
• 6 cubic centimeters

Multiple Choice

• 80 in³
• 24 in³
• 21 in³
• 13 in³

Multiple Choice

What is the volume of this prism?

• 20 cubic feet
• 8 cubic feet
• 40 cubic feet