SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH VOLUME

The student is expected to solve problems involving the volume of

8.7A
cylinders, cones, and spheres.

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The volume of a 3-dimensional figure is the amount of space taken up by the interior of the figure.
n A cylinder is a three-dimensional figure with two congruent, parallel bases that
are circles. The height of the cylinder is the distance between the parallel bases.
n A cone is a three-dimensional figure with one base that is a circle. The lateral sur-
face of a cone narrows and comes to a point, called the vertex or apex of the cone,
opposite the base. The height of the cone is the perpendicular distance between
the vertex and the base.
n A sphere is a three-dimensional figure that is a set of all points in space that are
equidistant from one point, called the center of the sphere. The radius of a sphere
is the distance from the center of the sphere to the surface of the sphere.

1 4
CYLINDER: V = Bh CONE: V = –3Bh SPHERE: V = –3πr3
n B represents the area of n B represents the area n r represents the radius
the base of the cylinder, of the base of the cone, of the sphere.
which is a circle. which is a circle.
n B = πr2, r represents the n B = πr2, r represents the
radius of the base. radius of the base.
n h represents the height n h represents the height
of the cylinder. of the cone.

In any formula involving π,

you may use an approximation
22
of π such as 3.14, —7, or the π
key on your calculator.

EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1: Travis uses a container shaped like a cylinder to carry fish
food to the pond to feed the fish. The dimensions of the container are shown.
Determine the approximate volume of the container. Round to the nearest
hundredth of a cubic centimeter.

STEP 1 The volume of a cylinder is found using the formula, V = Bh. The
base of a cylinder is a circle, so use the formula for the area of a
circle, B = πr2. The area formula requires the radius of the base,
so determine the radius of the base.

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 n The diameter of the base of the cylinder is given in the diagram as 25.8 centimeters.
n The area formula for a circle requires the radius, r, of the circle.
1
n The radius of a circle is 2– the diameter:
1 1
r = 2–d = 2–(25.8) = 12.9 cm.
r = 12.9 centimeters
YOU TRY IT!
STEP 2 Calculate the area of the base using the area formula, A water storage tank is shaped like
B = πr2. a cylinder. The radius of the tank
1
n Substitute r = 12.9 into the area formula. is 32– feet and the height of the tank
n B = π(12.9)2 = 166.41π square centimeters is 5 feet. Determine the volume of
the tank in cubic feet. Round your
B = 166.41π square centimeters
answer to the nearest hundredth.
STEP 3 Determine the approximate volume of the cylinder Radius of tank: r = ___________________
using the volume formula, V = Bh. Area of base of tank:
n The height of the cylinder is given in the B = π(_____________)2 = _____________ π
diagram as 30 centimeters. r
Volume:
n Substitute B = 166.41π and h = 30 into the
volume formula. V = _________ π(_________) ≈ __________
B h
n V = 166.41π(30) ≈ 15,675.82 cubic centimeters
V ≈ 15,675.82 cubic centimeters

EXAMPLE 2: A cone has the dimensions shown in the diagram.

Determine the approximate volume of the cone in cubic inches.
Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

STEP 1 The volume of a cone is found using the formula,

1
V = 3–Bh. The base of a cone is a circle, so use the
formula for the area of a circle, B = πr2. The area
formula requires the radius of the base, so determine
the radius of the base.
n The diameter of the base of the cone is given in the diagram as 5 inches.
n The area formula for a circle requires the radius, r, of the circle.
1 1 1 1
n The radius of a circle is 2– the diameter: r = 2–d = 2–(5) = 22– inches.
1
r = 22– inches

STEP 2 Calculate the area of the base using the area formula, B = πr2.
1
Substitute r = 22– into the area formula.
( 1)
B = π 22–
2
1
= 64–π square inches
1
B = 64– π square inches

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STEP 3 Determine the approximate volume of the cone using the volume formula, V = Bh.
1
n The height of the cone is given in the diagram as 2–4 inches.
1 1
n Substitute B = 6–4 π and h = 2–4 into the volume formula.
n
1
( )
1
V = 6–4π 2–4 ≈ 44.16 cubic inches
V ≈ 44.16 cubic inches

EXAMPLE 3: A ball shaped like a sphere has a radius of 8.4 centimeters. Determine the approximate
volume of the ball in cubic centimeters. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

STEP 1 The volume of a sphere is found using the

4
formula, V = 3– πr3. Use this formula to determine
the approximate volume of the ball.
MAKE A NOTE . . .
n The radius of the ball is given as 8.4 centi-
meters. Solve Example 3 using π ≈ 3.14.
Then, solve Example 3 using the π
n Substitute r = 8.4 into the volume formula. key on your calculator. Why are the
4 two answers different?
n V = 3– π(8.4)3 ≈ 2481.45 cubic centimeters
V ≈ 2481.45 cubic centimeters

PRACTICE
For questions 1-3, determine the approximate volume to the nearest hundredth.
1. 2. 3.

4. A 12-foot section of water pipe is in 5. A baseball is in the shape of a sphere

the shape of a cylinder and is being and has a diameter of 74 millimeters.
installed by construction crews. The What is the approximate volume
pipe section has a diameter of 8.5 of the baseball, to the nearest
feet. To the nearest hundredth, what hundredth?
is the approximate volume of the
pipe section?

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 6. Andrea is excited to order a new 9. Lui has a hat passed down from
cookie cone filled with ice cream at his grandfather that he wears as
an ice cream shop. The cookie cone part of a family custom for certain
has a height of 15 centimeters and a ceremonies. The hat is in the shape
radius of 5.5 centimeters. What is the of a cone with a diameter of 19
approximate volume, to the nearest inches and a height from the center
hundredth, of the cone? of 7.5 inches.

Which is closest to the volume of the

7. Romero is using a cylindrical glass conical hat in cubic inches?
beaker for a science experiment. The
beaker is 13 centimeters tall and has A 2,834 in.3
a radius of 5 centimeters. Romero
fills the beaker half way with a B 2,125 in.3
liquid. What is the approximate C 708 in.3
volume, to the nearest hundredth, of D 75 in.3
the liquid inside the beaker?

10. In the downtown area of a town

stands an old grain silo in the shape
8. The paper drinking cups in Mr. of a cylinder. The silo is 25 feet tall
Maldonado’s office building are in and has a diameter of 12.4 feet.
the shape of a cone with dimensions Which measurement is closest to the
as shown below. volume of the grain silo in town in
cubic feet?

F 12,070.2 ft3
G 3,017.5 ft3
H 973.4 ft3
J 310 ft3

If Mr. Maldonado fills a drinking

3
cone –4 of the way full with water,
to the nearest tenth what is the
approximate volume of water in the
drinking cone?

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