Volume Formulas

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Introduction

This page contains the volume formulas for a:

Examples are given to show you how to use the formulas.

Cube

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Formula

The lesson on the volume of a cube will explain the basics needed. Here's a summary:

All the sides (edges) of a cube have the same length. If each side has the length a, the formula for the volume V will be:

V = a3
cube with sides a
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Example

Using the formula for the volume of a cube

Rectangular Solid

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Formula

The lesson on How to Find the Volume will cover the basics needed to find the volume of a rectangular solid. Here's a short summary:

A rectangular solid has the width w, length l and height h. The volume V for this solid is the multiplication of the width, height and length together. This gives:

V = wlh
rectangular solid with width w, length l and height h
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Example

Given a rectangular solid with the width 2ft, length 3ft, and height 5ft. Find its volume.

Using the volume formula, V=wlh

Cylinder

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Formula

The lesson on the volume of a cylinder will explain the basic ideas needed to use this formula. Here's a short summary on it:

For a cylinder that has the radius r and height h, its volume will be:

V = πr2h

Where π is constant that is approximately equals to 3.14.

a cylinder with the radius r and height h
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Example

Given a cylinder with the radius 3cm and height 5cm. Find its volume. using the formula for the volume of a cylinder Take π = 3.14.

using the formula for the volume of a cylinder

Sphere

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Formula

The lesson of the volume of a sphere will show the basic ideas on using this formula. Here's a summary:

For a sphere with the radius r, the volume V is given as:

volume of a sphere, V = 4/3*pi*r^3

Where π is constant that is approximately equals to 3.14.

a sphere with the radius r
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Example

Given a sphere with the radius 3 inches. Find the volume of this sphere. Take π = 3.14.

Using the formula for the volume of a sphere

Cone

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Formula

The lesson on the volume of a cone will show you the basics needed to use this formula. Note that, the volume of a cone is just 1/3 of the volume of a cylinder.

Consider a cone with the base radius r and height h. The volume V for this solid is simply:

volume of a cone, V = (1/3)*pi*r^2*h

Where π is constant that is approximately equals to 3.14.

cone with the base radius r and height h
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Example

Given a cone with the base radius 2cm and height 3cm. Find its volume.

Using the volume formula of a cone, V=(1/3)*pi*r^2*h

Pyramid

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Formula

The lesson on the volume of a pyramid will explain the basic needed to use this formula. Note that, the volume of a pyramid is actually 1/3 of the volume of a rectangular solid.

Now, for a pyramid with the width w, length l and height h, the volume, V of the pyramid will be:

Volume for a pyramid, V = (1/3)wlh
a pyramid with the width w, length l and height h.
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Example

Given a pyramid with the width 3ft, length 4ft and height 5ft. Find its volume.

using the formula for the volume of a pyramid, (1/3)wlh.