Lesson 1B Volume 559
Volume of a Rectangular Prism
Find the volume of the rectangular prism.
5 cm
4 cm
V = wh Volume of a prism 3 cm
V = 5 · 4 · 3 = 5, w = 4, and h = 3
V = 60 Multiply.
The volume is 60 cubic centimeters or 60 cm^3.
a. Find the volume of the rectangular
3 m
9.5 m 5 m
prism at the right.
MARKETING A company makes lunch boxes in two different
sizes. Which lunch box holds more food?
7.5 in.
110 in.
3 .7 5 in. 8 in.
9 .5 in.
3 .7 5 in.
Find the volume of each lunch box. Then compare.
Lunch Box A
V = wh
V = 7.5 · 3.75 · 10
V = 281.25 in^3
Lunch Box B
V = wh
V = 8 · 3.75 · 9.5
V = 285 in^3
Since 285 in^3 > 281.25 in^3 , Lunch Box B holds more food.
b. PACKAGING A concession
4 in.
4.5 in. 4 in.
5 in.
3 .5 in.^3.^5 in.
#PY" #PY#
stand serves peanuts in two
different containers. Which
container holds more peanuts?
Justify your answer.
Decomposing Figures Decomposing Figures
You can think of the volume
of the prism as consisting
of three congruent slices.
Each slice contains the
area of the base, 20
square centimeters, and a
height of 1 centimeter.
Real-World Link
Lunch boxes from the
1950s and 1960s
sometimes sell for
thousands of dollars
at auctions.
RR
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