Question

In general, how can the volume of any prism or cylinder be found?

A) Multiply length by width by height.

B) Multiply length of the base by height of the figure.

C) Multiply length by itself three times.

D) Multiply area of the base by height of the figure.

Answer 1

Think of a cube with side s, where the volume is V = s^3.
s^3 = s^2 * s, but s^2 = area of one side.
That means the volume of a cube is the product of the area of the base and the height.

Answer 2

In the case of a cylinder, the volume is V = (pi)r^2h, where r = radius and h = height.
(pi)r^2 is the area of the base, and h is height. Here you see again that the volume is the area of the base multiplied by the height.
Choice A is correct for a prism or cube, but it doesn't work for a cylinder.