Why and how to work out volume of a prism

Simon

12 years ago

Learning how to work out volumes can be very important for all sorts of applications – mainly in manufacturing and transportation.

A ‘prism’ is a shape with a constant cross section, such as a cardboard box. It basically means that if you cut the prism in half the shape will be the same in the middle:

Try the Quick Test volumes of 3D shapes

To work out the volume of the prism:

sometimes this is given to you, particularly if the shape is fairly complicated

- - if its not given you should be able to calculate – although it’s a good idea to draw a sketch of the cross section to make your working easier
  - some exam questions might require a cross section to be calculated in stages
    - ..and then multiply by the length

A fairly typical exam question would be either to calculate the volume directly.. or a more practical example, such as:

“A light bulb box measures 6cm x 6cm x 10cm.

The light bulbs are packed into cartons which measure 36cm x 36cm x 80cm.

Calculate the number of light bulb boxes that completely fill one carton.”

To answer the question you’ll need to work out –