How to Find the Volume of Solids - The Basics

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Lesson Objective
This lesson is an introduction to the basic ideas on how to find the volume of solids. We will be using a rectangular solid and a cylinder as examples.
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About This Lesson
After familiarizing with surface area, it is time to learn about the volume of solids. As an introduction, we will be learning on how to find the volume of the following solids:
  1. Rectangular Solid
  2. Cylinder
This lesson also emphasizes on getting the unit for volume correctly.

The study tips and math video below will explain more.

Study Tips

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Tip #1 - Rectangular Solid
To find the volume (V) of a rectangular solid, we just need to multiply the width (W), length (L) and height (H) of the solid together as shown below:
V = WLH
rectangular solid with width R, length L and height H
The math video below will explain this further...
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Tip #2 - Cylinder
Now, to find the volume (V) of a cylinder, you just need to multiply the area of the base (πR2) with the height (H) together. This formula is shown below:
V = πR2H
cylinder with radius R and height H
The symbol, π, is just a number that is approximately equals to 22/7 or 3.142.

The math video below will explain this further...
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Tip #3 - Unit for Volume
It is important to get the unit for volume correctly. Here are some pointers:
  1. First, make sure all the units are the same
    Let's say that the width, length and height of a rectangular solid are given as follow: 

    Width (W) = 20mm
    Length (L) = 5cm
    Height (H) = 3cm

  2. Notice that the width has a different unit compared to the length and height? Now, we have to make these units the same by either changing them all to mm or cm. 

    Since 10mm is equals to 1cm, 20mm must be equals to 2cm. Hence, we have:

    Width (W) = 2cm
    Length (L) = 5cm
    Height (H) = 3cm

    We can now calculate the volume since the units are now the same.

  3. Next, understand what unit3 (cubic unit) means
    Now, after ensuring the units are the same, we can calculate the volume, V below:
    V = WLH
         
    = 2×5×3
         = 30 cm3
    Notice the cm3 (cubic centimeter) above? This 'cubic' comes about because we multiplied 3 lengths that are in cm. If W, L and H are in feet (ft), the unit for volume will be ft3 (cubic feet). Generally speaking, unit3 is the unit for volume where the unit can be mm, cm, m, feet, km, miles etc. 

    The math video below will explain this further...

Math Video

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Lesson Video

If the above player doesn't work, try this direct link.

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Math Video Transcript

Practice Questions & More

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Now, let's try some MCQ questions to understand this lesson better.

You can start by going through the series of questions on how to find the volume of solids or pick your choice of question below.
  1. Question 1 on how to find the volume of a rectangular solid
  2. Question 2 on how to find the volume of a cylinder