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Overview
Grade 7 Math
8. Volume of rectangular prisms and cylinders
8.3 Volume of prisms
Volume of a Prism
The volume of any prism equals the area of its base times its height.
What You'll Learn
Volume of a prism = base area times height.
Only the base-area formula changes between prism types.
A rectangular prism's base area is length times width.
A triangular prism's base area is one-half times base times height.
Volume (cubic units) measures space inside; surface area (square units) measures the outside.
What You'll Practice
1
Computing volumes of rectangular prisms with given dimensions
2
Finding triangular prism volumes using base triangle area formulas
3
Calculating volumes of irregular composite prisms
4
Working backward to find missing dimensions from known volumes
5
Solving real-world word problems involving concrete and construction
Why This Matters
Calculating volume is essential for real-world applications like construction, shipping, and storage planning. Whether you're determining how much concrete is needed for a project or figuring out container capacity, volume calculations help you make accurate measurements and avoid costly mistakes in everyday situations.
Before You Start — Make Sure You Can:
This Unit Includes
6 Video lessons
Practice exercises
Learning resources
Skills
Volume
Rectangular Prisms
Triangular Prisms
Unit Conversion
Composite Shapes
Word Problems
Area of Base
BC Curriculum Aligned