Hands-on math!

Prism

A prism is a 3-dimensional solid figure with two identical polygon bases that are parallel and connected by rectangles. Prisms are named by their base polygon shape:
The volume of a prism is just the area of its base times its height (h):
V = Abase x h
So, in the above diagram, if the rectangle has a width and height of 4 cm. (making it a square) and the height is also 4 cm., then the volume of the rectangle prism is:
V = 4 x 4 x 4 cm3 = 64 cm3.


A cylinder is just a prism which has a circle as a base:
So, if the radius is 4 cm. and the height is also 4 cm. then the volume of the cylinder is:
      V = base area (the circle) x height
V = r2 h = 42 X 4 = 64 cm3