Volume of Cylinders
Volume of Cylinders
Introduction: Think of a can of soup or vegetables. What shape is the can? Chances are the can is a cylinder. A cylinder is a three-dimensional shape. It has two parallel bases which are circular or elliptical. The bases are connected by a curved surface.
Why do you think manufacturers use food containers shaped as cylinders? A sphere is a more efficient shape in terms of the amount of food it can hold. But imagine what would happen if you tried to stack a pile of spherical containers on a shelf! Turns out, a cylinder is a better choice for packing, shipping, and storing food. It is easy to stack and open while still holding an efficient volume of food. (Remember that volume is the amount of space something occupies.)
If you have a cylindrical food can and a ruler, you can calculate the volume of food it holds. The formula for the volume of a cylinder is shown below, where V= volume, r= radius, and h = height. It is a combination of the formulas for the volume of a prism and the area of a circle.
V=πr2h
Tips:
- If given the diameter of a base of the cylinder, be sure to first divide it by 2 to find the radius (r).
- Double-check if the answer must have pi multiplied out and if so, to which decimal place. Some problems will allow for the answer to be expressed with the pi symbol (π).
- Always check that your final answer is in cubic units. For example, a problem that gives a radius or height in inches will have an answer in cubic inches (in3).
Directions for This Lesson: In this lesson, you will learn how to calculate the volume of a right circular cylinder. First, try the practice questions to determine what you already know about the volume of a cylinder. Then, watch the video lesson to learn more about cylinder volume. Finally, apply what you learned in the activity and practice sections.
Required Video:
Practice:
Practice what you have learned by completing the post-lesson worksheet.
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