This distinction between volume and capacity is subtle – you can measure both in cm3, although confusingly you can also measure capacity in millilitres (ml), each of which is the same size as 1 cm3. A litre contains 1,000 millilitres, and a cubic metre contains 1,000 litres. For the numeracy curriculum, you may need to work out the volume of a cuboid or shoebox. You normally know the width, height and depth of the box. To work out the volume, you simply times the three numbers together.
A classic problem in numeracy exams involves working out how many small boxes fit into a bigger box. This kind of packing problem has real-life applications (how many DVDs can you fit into a box? Will this crate hold all the copies of Basic Maths For Dummies you want to send to your friends around the world?) and is quite straightforward.
In an exam, you normally know the orientation – or which way round you need to pack the little boxes into the big box. Follow these steps to work out how to fit little boxes into a bigger box: Work out how many boxes you can fit along the front of the box.
Divide the width of the big box by the width of one small box and write down the result. If you get a whole number answer, great! If not, round down, because even if your answer is 5.99, you can’t squeeze a sixth little box into the crate.
Work out how many boxes you can fit along the side of the box.
Divide the depth of the big box by the depth of the little box and write down the answer. Round down if you don’t have a whole number.
Work out how many boxes you can fit going up the box.Work out how many boxes you can fit along the front of the box.
Divide the width of the big box by the width of one small box and write down the result. If you get a whole number answer, great! If not, round down, because even if your answer is 5.99, you can’t squeeze a sixth little box into the crate.
Work out how many boxes you can fit along the side of the box.
Divide the depth of the big box by the depth of the little box and write down the answer. Round down if you don’t have a whole number.
Work out how many boxes you can fit going up the box.Work out how many boxes you can fit along the front of the box.
Divide the width of the big box by the width of one small box and write down the result. If you get a whole number answer, great! If not, round down, because even if your answer is 5.99, you can’t squeeze a sixth little box into the crate.
Work out how many boxes you can fit along the side of the box.
Divide the depth of the big box by the depth of the little box and write down the answer. Round down if you don’t have a whole number.
Work out how many boxes you can fit going up the box.Divide the height of the big box by the height of the small box and write down the number. Round down if you need to.
Times the three numbers together.
That’s your answer!
Explanation:
