Cuboid Practice Problems: Volume and Surface Area

Master cuboid calculations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn volume and surface area formulas for rectangular prisms with real-world examples.

📚Master Cuboid Calculations Through Guided Practice
  • Calculate volume using length × width × height formula
  • Find total surface area of all six rectangular faces
  • Solve for missing dimensions using given volume or surface area
  • Apply percentage calculations to cuboid dimension problems
  • Work with variables and algebraic expressions in 3D geometry
  • Identify real-world applications of cuboid calculations

Understanding Cuboids

Complete explanation with examples

Structure of a rectangular cuboid

The rectangular cuboid, or just cuboid, is a three-dimensional shape that consists of six rectangles. Each rectangle is called a face. Every rectangular cuboid has six faces (The top and bottom faces are often called the top and bottom bases of the rectangular cuboid). It is important to understand that there are actually 33 pairs of faces, and each face will be identical to its opposite face.

The straight lines formed by two intersecting sides are called edges (or sides). Every cuboid has 1212 edges.

The meeting point between two edges is called the vertex. Each cuboid has 88 vertices.

Structure of a rectangular prism

Detailed explanation

Practice Cuboids

Test your knowledge with 64 quizzes

Given the cuboid of the figure:

555999444

What is its volume?

Examples with solutions for Cuboids

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Shown below is a cuboid with a length of 8 cm.

Its width is 2 cm and its height is 4 cm.

Calculate the volume of the cube.

444888222

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given dimensions of the cuboid.
  • Step 2: Apply the formula for the volume of a cuboid.
  • Step 3: Perform the calculation using the known dimensions.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem states that the cuboid has a length of 8 cm, a width of 2 cm, and a height of 4 cm.
Step 2: We will use the volume formula for a cuboid, which is:

V=length×width×height V = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height}

Step 3: Substituting the given dimensions into the formula, we have:

V=8cm×2cm×4cm V = 8 \, \text{cm} \times 2 \, \text{cm} \times 4 \, \text{cm}

Performing the multiplication:

V=16cm2×4cm=64cm3 V = 16 \, \text{cm}^2 \times 4 \, \text{cm} = 64 \, \text{cm}^3

Therefore, the volume of the cuboid is 64cm3 64 \, \text{cm}^3 .

Answer:

64 cm³

Video Solution
Exercise #2

A cuboid has a length of is 9 cm.

It is 4 cm wide and 5 cm high.

Calculate the volume of the cube.

555444999

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given dimensions: length = 9 cm, width = 4 cm, height = 5 cm.
  • Step 2: Apply the formula for the volume of a cuboid, V=length×width×height V = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height} .
  • Step 3: Calculate the value by substituting the given dimensions into the formula.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: Given dimensions are:
- Length = 9 cm
- Width = 4 cm
- Height = 5 cm

Step 2: Use the formula for the volume of a cuboid:
V=length×width×height V = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height}

Step 3: Substitute the values into the formula:
V=9cm×4cm×5cm V = 9 \, \text{cm} \times 4 \, \text{cm} \times 5 \, \text{cm}

Calculate the product:
V=180cm3 V = 180 \, \text{cm}^3

Therefore, the volume of the cuboid is 180cm3 180 \, \text{cm}^3 .

Answer:

180 cm³

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Below is a cuboid with a length of

8 cm.

Its width is 2 cm and its height is

4 cm.

Calculate the volume of the cube.

222888444

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given information
  • Step 2: Apply the appropriate formula for volume
  • Step 3: Perform the necessary calculations

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The problem gives us the dimensions of a cuboid: length L=8cm L = 8 \, \text{cm} , width W=2cm W = 2 \, \text{cm} , and height H=4cm H = 4 \, \text{cm} .

Step 2: We'll use the formula to calculate the volume of a cuboid: V=L×W×H V = L \times W \times H .

Step 3: Substitute the given dimensions into the formula: V=8×2×4 V = 8 \times 2 \times 4 Calculate the result: V=16×4=64 V = 16 \times 4 = 64 Thus, the volume of the cuboid is 64cm3 64 \, \text{cm}^3 .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 64cm3 64 \, \text{cm}^3 .

Answer:

64 cm³

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Look at the cuboid below:

888555121212

What is the volume of the cuboid?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the volume of a cuboid, we apply the formula:

  • Step 1: Identify the dimensions of the cuboid:
    • Length (l l ) = 12 cm
    • Width (w w ) = 8 cm
    • Height (h h ) = 5 cm
  • Step 2: Apply the volume formula for a cuboid:

The formula to find the volume (V V ) of a cuboid is:

V=l×w×h V = l \times w \times h

Step 3: Substitute the given dimensions into the formula and calculate: V=12×8×5 V = 12 \times 8 \times 5

Step 4: Perform the multiplication in stages for clarity:

First, calculate 12×8=96 12 \times 8 = 96

Then multiply the result by 5: 96×5=480 96 \times 5 = 480

Therefore, the volume of the cuboid is 480cm3\mathbf{480 \, \text{cm}^3}.

Answer:

480 cm³

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Look at the cuboid below.

What is its surface area?

333333111111

Step-by-Step Solution

We identified that the faces are

3*3, 3*11, 11*3
As the opposite faces of an cuboid are equal, we know that for each face we find there is another face, therefore:

3*3, 3*11, 11*3

or

(3*3, 3*11, 11*3 ) *2

 

To find the surface area, we will have to add up all these areas, therefore:

(3*3+3*11+11*3 )*2

 

And this is actually the formula for the surface area!

We calculate:

(9+33+33)*2

(75)*2

150

Answer:

150

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula for finding the volume of a cuboid?

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The volume of a cuboid is calculated by multiplying its three dimensions: Volume = Length × Width × Height. For example, a cuboid with dimensions 4cm × 3cm × 5cm has a volume of 60 cm³.

How do you calculate the total surface area of a cuboid?

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The total surface area formula is S = 2(W×L + H×W + H×L), where you calculate the area of each pair of opposite faces and add them together. This includes all six rectangular faces of the cuboid.

What's the difference between a cuboid and a rectangular prism?

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There is no difference - they are the same shape with different names. Other terms include orthohedron, rectangular parallelepiped, and orthogonal parallelepiped. All describe a 3D shape with 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices.

How many faces, edges, and vertices does a cuboid have?

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A cuboid has: • 6 faces (all rectangles) • 12 edges (straight lines where faces meet) • 8 vertices (corner points where edges meet). The faces come in three pairs of identical opposite rectangles.

Can you find a missing dimension if you know the volume and two other dimensions?

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Yes, you can rearrange the volume formula. If Volume = L × W × H, then Height = Volume ÷ (Length × Width). This method works for finding any missing dimension when you have the volume and the other two measurements.

What are some real-world examples of cuboids?

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Common cuboid examples include: 1. Shoeboxes and cereal boxes 2. Smartphones and tablets 3. Rooms and buildings 4. Books and bricks 5. Refrigerators and washing machines. Understanding cuboid calculations helps with packing, construction, and space planning.

How do you calculate surface area without the top and bottom faces?

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To find lateral surface area (without bases), use the formula: Ss = 2(W×H + L×H). This calculates only the four rectangular faces that 'wrap around' the cuboid, excluding the top and bottom faces.

What's the easiest way to remember cuboid formulas?

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Remember these key patterns: Volume always multiplies all three dimensions (L×W×H). Surface area adds up rectangular face areas, with each face appearing twice since opposite faces are identical. Practice with simple whole numbers first before tackling complex problems.

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