Use the following formulae to work out the volumes of these 3D solid shapes:
Cube
We need to know the side length.
Remember that the length, the width and the height will all be equal to the side length, because this is a cube.
Volume of cube = side length x side length x side length
Cuboid
We need to know the length, the width and the height.
Volume of cuboid = length x width x height
Example
Can a volume formula be used to work out the volume of this cuboid, and if so, which one is best?
Answer
This is a cuboid.
We need to know the length, the width and the height.
The length is 15 cm, the width is 4 cm and the height is 8 cm.
Yes, we can use the volume formula:
Volume of cuboid = length × width × height
If we had to work it out, we would do 15 x 4 x 8 = 480 cm2
Example 2
Can a volume formula be used to work out the volume of this cube, and if so, which one is best?
Answer
This is a cube.
We need to know the side length.
The side length is 7 cm, so the width and the height are also 7 cm.
Yes, we can use the volume formula:
Volume of cube = side length × side length × side length
If we had to work it out, we would do 7 x 7 x 7 = 343 cm2
Example 3
Can a volume formula be used to work out the volume of this cuboid, and if so, which one is best?
Answer
This is a cuboid.
We need to know the length, the width and the height.
The length is 9 cm, the width is 4 cm but we do not know the height.
No, we cannot use a volume formula.
NB: The length, the width and the height are all interchangeable with each other, depending on how you look at a cuboid.
Are you ready to have a go at some questions now?