Now, it shouldbe obviousthat the sum of all of the basesof the pyramidsis simplythe surfacearea of the
sphere.Sinceyou knowthat the surfacearea of the sphereis , you can substitutethis quantityinto
the equationabove.
Finally, as increasesand the surfaceof the figurebecomesmore“rounded,” , the heightof each
pyramidbecomesequalto , the radiusof the sphere.So we can substitute for. This gives:
We can writethis as a formula.
Volumeof a SphereGivena spherethat has radiusExample 3
Find the volumeof a spherewith radiusm.
Use the postulateabove.Example 4
A spherehas a volumeof. Find its diameter.
Use the postulateabove.Convert to an improperfraction,