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Maths

Estimating volume and capacity

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Estimating volume and capacity

​​In a nutshell

The volume of a shape tells you how much space it takes up. You can measure the volume by counting squares or using a formula. Liquids also take up volume. Objects such as containers and jugs have a capacity.



Volume

Volume is the measurement of how much space a 3D shape takes up. It can be measured in different units such mm3,cm3mm^3, cm^3 and m3m^3 ​.



Using cubes to find the volume

Cubes with a given length can be used to work out volume. 


Example 1

Find the volume of the cuboid, by counting the cubes.


1 cube=1cm31 \ cube =1cm^3​​

Maths; Measurement; KS2 Year 5; Estimating volume and capacity
Maths; Measurement; KS2 Year 5; Estimating volume and capacity

Firstly, count the number of cubes in the cuboid.


The cuboid is made up of 1212​ cubes. 


Since each cube is 1cm31cm^3 multiply this by 1212 to find the total volume.


The volume of the cuboid is 12cm3\underline{12cm^3}.



Using the formula to find the volume

The volume of a cuboid can be found using the following formula:


V=l×w×hV=l \times w \times h​​
VV​​
The Volume of the cuboid.
ll​​
The length of the cuboid.
ww​​
The width of the cuboid.
hh​​
The height of the cuboid.

Example 2

Find the volume of the cuboid using the formula.


Maths; Measurement; KS2 Year 5; Estimating volume and capacity


height=3cm, width=2cm, length=5cmheight = 3cm, \ width = 2cm, \ length = 5cm​​


Substitute the values for height, width and length in to the formula.


Volume=l×w×hVolume=5×2×3Volume=30cm3\begin{aligned}Volume &= l \times w \times h \\Volume &= 5 \times 2 \times 3 \\Volume &= \underline{30cm^3}\end{aligned}



Capacity

Liquids also have a volume which takes up space in a given vessel, such as a jug. The jug's capacity is the maximum volume of liquid it may hold.


Example 3

Determine the capacity of the jug.


Maths; Measurement; KS2 Year 5; Estimating volume and capacity

The jug is filled up to 1300ml1300ml​. However, the maximum capacity of the jug is 1500ml1500ml​. 

The capacity of the jug is 1500ml\underline{1500ml}.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQs

  • Question: What is capacity?

    Answer: Capacity is the maximum volume of liquid a vessel may hold.

  • Question: What units is volume measured in?

    Answer: Volume can be measured in different units such millimetres cubed, centimetres cubed and metres cubed.

  • Question: What is volume?

    Answer: Volume is the measurement of how much space a 3D shape takes up.

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