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      Checking and securing understanding of volume of prisms

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can calculate the volume of prisms.

      Key learning points

      1. The shape and area of the base of a prism can be found.
      2. The area of the cross-section multiplied by the length gives the volume of the prism.
      3. This can be used to find the volume of any prism.
      4. Unknown lengths can be found when the volume of a prism is known.

      Keywords

      • Volume - Volume is the amount of space occupied by a closed 3D shape.

      • Prism - A prism is a polyhedron with a base that is a polygon and a parallel opposite face that is identical. The corresponding edges of the two polygons are joined by parallelograms.

      Common misconception

      When questions are in context, the length may be described as the depth or height and this can cause some pupils to struggle if they have learned a formula with a particular word.

      Remind pupils that the volume of a 3D shape comes from a product of three perpendicular lengths. The cross-sectional area uses two of the three, so identify the distance that is perpendicular to the cross-sectional face.

      Teacher tip

      For challenge, the volume of a triangular prism could be found using trigonometry.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The net of a 3D object is a 2D representation of its that can be folded up into the 3D object.

      Correct Answer: surfaces, faces

      Q2.
      A solid is created from irregular quadrilaterals and regular hexagons only. Which of these nets could be for the solid?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      The diagram shows a net of a __________.

      An image in a quiz
      cone
      cuboid
      Correct answer: square based pyramid
      triangular prism

      Q4.
      Which of these diagrams show a net for a tetrahedron?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q5.
      Which of these diagrams show a net of a cube?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q6.
      Which of the following rectangles can be used to create the net of a cuboid?

      An image in a quiz
      A, B and C
      A, F and E
      Correct answer: A, C and D
      B, C and D
      D, E and F

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A prism is a polyhedron with a base that is a polygon and a parallel opposite face that is identical. The corresponding edges of the two polygons are joined by __________.

      kites
      Correct answer: parallelograms
      rectangles
      squares
      triangles

      Q2.
      Which of these 3D solids are prisms?

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      A set of cuboids each have a volume of 120 cm³. Match each base of a cuboid to the correct height.

      Correct Answer:Base: 2 cm by 3 cm,Height: 20 cm
      Correct Answer:Base: 5 cm by 2 cm,Height: 12 cm
      Correct Answer:Base: 15 cm by 2 cm,Height: 4 cm
      Correct Answer:Base: 8 cm by 3 cm,Height: 5 cm
      Correct Answer:Base: 10 cm by 4 cm,Height: 3 cm

      Q4.
      The volume of this prism is cm³.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 180

      Q5.
      The volume of this triangular prism is cm³.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 672

      Q6.
      The volume of this prism is 280 cm³. The length of the side $$w$$ is cm.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 4, 4cm

      To help you plan your 11 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of volume of prisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...