3D Shapes Volume Problems

Problems on 3D shapes such as prisms, cubes, cylinders, and composite solids are presented along with detailed solutions.


Problem 1

A rectangular prism of volume \(3200 \text{ mm}^3\) has a rectangular base of length \(10 \text{ mm}\) and width \(8 \text{ mm}\). Find the height \(h\) of the prism.

Rectangular prism volume problem

Solution to Problem 1

Volume is given by

\[ V = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height} \] \[ V = 10 \text{ mm} \times 8 \text{ mm} \times h \] \[ 3200 \text{ mm}^3 = 80h \]

Solve for \(h\)

\[ h = \frac{3200}{80} = 40 \text{ mm} \]

Problem 2

The area of one square face of a cube is equal to \(64 \text{ cm}^2\). Find the volume of the cube.

Cube volume problem

Solution to Problem 2

The area of one square face is given by

\[ s \times s = 64 \]

Solve for \(s\)

\[ s = \sqrt{64} = 8 \text{ cm} \]

The volume \(V\) of the cube is given by

\[ V = s^3 \] \[ V = 8^3 = 512 \text{ cm}^3 \]

Problem 3

The triangular base of a prism is a right triangle of sides \(a\) and \(b = 2a\). The height \(h\) of the prism is equal to \(10 \text{ mm}\) and its volume is equal to \(40 \text{ mm}^3\). Find the lengths of the sides \(a\) and \(b\).

Triangular prism volume problem

Solution to Problem 3

The volume \(V\) of the prism is given by

\[ V = \frac{1}{2}ab h \] \[ 40 = \frac{1}{2}ab(10) \]

Substitute \(b = 2a\)

\[ 40 = \frac{1}{2}a(2a)(10) \] \[ 40 = 10a^2 \]

Solve for \(a\) and calculate \(b\)

\[ a^2 = 4 \] \[ a = 2 \text{ mm} \] \[ b = 2a = 4 \text{ mm} \]

Problem 4

Find the volume of the given L-shaped rectangular structure.

L-shaped rectangular structure volume problem

Solution to Problem 4

We can think of the given shape as a larger rectangular prism of dimensions \(60\), \(80\), and \(10 \text{ mm}\), from which a smaller prism of dimensions \(40\), \(60\), and \(10 \text{ mm}\) has been removed.

\[ V = 60 \times 80 \times 10 - 40 \times 60 \times 10 \] \[ V = 48000 - 24000 \] \[ V = 24000 \text{ mm}^3 \]

Problem 5

Find the thickness \(x\) of the hollow cylinder of height \(1000 \text{ mm}\) if the volume between the inner and outer cylinders is equal to \(11000\pi \text{ mm}^3\) and the outer diameter is \(12 \text{ mm}\).

Hollow cylinder volume problem

Solution to Problem 5

If \(R\) and \(r\) are the outer and inner radii of the hollow cylinder, the volume \(V\) between the cylinders is given by

\[ V = h\pi(R^2 - r^2) \] \[ 11000\pi = 1000\pi(36 - r^2) \]

Solve for \(r\)

\[ 11000 = 1000(36 - r^2) \] \[ 11 = 36 - r^2 \] \[ r^2 = 25 \] \[ r = 5 \text{ mm} \]

Find the thickness

\[ x = R - r = 6 - 5 = 1 \text{ mm} \]

Problem 6

Find \(x\) so that the volume of the U-shaped rectangular structure is equal to \(165 \text{ cm}^3\).

U-shaped structure volume problem

Solution to Problem 6

We can think of the given shape as a larger rectangular prism of dimensions \(8\), \(3\), and \(10 \text{ cm}\), from which a smaller prism of dimensions \(x\), \(x\), and \(3 \text{ cm}\) has been removed.

\[ V = 8 \times 3 \times 10 - 3x^2 \] \[ 240 - 3x^2 = 165 \] \[ 75 = 3x^2 \] \[ x^2 = 25 \] \[ x = 5 \text{ cm} \]

Problem 7

Find the volume of the hexagonal prism whose base is a regular hexagon of side \(x = 10 \text{ cm}\).

Hexagonal prism volume problem

Solution to Problem 7

The hexagon is made up of 6 equilateral triangles. Hence the area \(A\) of the base is

\[ A = 6\left(\frac{x^2\sqrt{3}}{4}\right) \] \[ A = 6\left(\frac{100\sqrt{3}}{4}\right) \] \[ A = 150\sqrt{3} \]

If the height of the prism is \(24 \text{ cm}\), then the volume \(V\) is

\[ V = 24 \times 150\sqrt{3} \] \[ V \approx 6235.4 \text{ cm}^3 \]

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