📦 Ever wondered how much water a bucket can hold, or how much space is inside a box? That’s what volume is all about! It tells you how much space something takes up—on the inside.
Whether you’re filling a fish tank, baking a cake, or solving a math problem, knowing how to calculate volume comes in handy.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Table of Contents
🙋 What Is Volume?
Volume is the amount of 3D space an object takes up. It’s measured in cubic units, like:
- Cubic centimeters (cm³)
- Cubic meters (m³)
- Liters (L)
- Milliliters (mL)
- Or even cubic inches or feet
You’ll use different formulas depending on the shape of the object.
🧊 Volume of a Cube or Rectangular Box
This is one of the most common shapes, like a shipping box or drawer.
📏 Formula:
Volume = Length × Width × Height✏️ Example:
If a box is 2 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 4 meters high:
Volume = 2 × 3 × 4 = 24 cubic meters (m³)🥫 Volume of a Cylinder (like a can)
Cylinders have circular ends and are used for cans, tubes, and some tanks.
📏 Formula:
Volume = π × radius² × height(π is about 3.14)
✏️ Example:
If a cylinder has a radius of 5 cm and a height of 10 cm:
Volume = 3.14 × (5)² × 10 = 3.14 × 25 × 10 = 785 cm³🏀 Volume of a Sphere (like a ball)
📏 Formula:
Volume = (4/3) × π × radius³✏️ Example:
A basketball with a radius of 6 inches:
Volume = (4/3) × 3.14 × (6)³ ≈ 904.32 in³🧱 Other Common Shapes
- Cone:
Volume = (1/3) × π × radius² × height - Pyramid:
Volume = (1/3) × base area × height
You just plug in the measurements and multiply!
📌 Quick Tips
- Always use the same units (e.g., all in cm or m)
- Volume is always in cubic units (like cm³ or m³)
- Double-check your shape and the formula—it makes all the difference!
📘 Real-Life Uses for Volume
- 📦 How much can a box hold?
- 💧 How much water fits in a pool or tank?
- 🥣 How much batter goes in a baking tin?
- 🧪 Measuring liquids in science experiments