Volume measures the amount of space inside a three-dimensional object, just as area measures space within a two-dimensional object. Volume is calculated using length, width, and height and is measured in cubic units. The general formula for volume is the area of the base multiplied by the height. For example, the figure shown has a volume of 120 cubic units, which is calculated by multiplying the area of the base, 30 square units, by the height of 4 units.
1. Volume
In the past,you’ve learnedaboutareaandvolume.Areaisthe measure of the amountof space
inside a2-dimensional object.Areaismeasuredinsquare unitsbecausethere are twodimensions:
lengthandwidth.The general formulaforareaisthe lengthmultipliedbythe width.Inthe figure below,
the area is40 in2
,whichwasfoundbymultiplying10inchesand 4 inches.
Volume issimilartoareainthe fact thatit measuresthe amountof space in an object.Volume,
however,isthe measure of the amountof space inside a3-dimensional object.Volume ismeasuredin
cubic unitsbecause there are three dimensions:length,widthandheight.The general formulafor
volume isthe areaof the base multipliedbythe height.
The figure above hasa volume of 120 units3
.Remember,the volume equalsthe areaof the base
multipliedbythe height.The areaof the base is30 units2
,because 10 x 3 = 30. The areaof the base,30,
multipliedbythe height,4,equalsavolume of 120 units3
.
A = B h
*(B = area of the based)