Example 1
Find the volume of a cuboid 5 cm long, 3 cm wide and 2 cm high.
- For a cuboid, volume = length × width × height.
- Multiply 5 × 3 × 2
- 5 × 3 × 2 = 30
So: The volume is 30 cm3.
Back to National 3
Unit: Shape, Space and Measures
Volume
Volume measures the space inside a 3D shape. Capacity is the amount a container can hold.
Supports assessment standards: 1.2, 2.2
Topic explanation
Volume is measured in cubic units such as cm3 because it counts cubes filling a space
For National 3, focus on cubes, cuboids, and clear container questions.
Capacity conversions often connect volume to litres. Remember: 1000 cm3 holds 1 litre
Quick methods
- Cuboid
- Volume = length × width × height
- Cube
- Multiply the side length by itself three times.
- Container
- Check whether the answer is in cm3, ml, or litres
- Capacity
- 1000 cm3 = 1 litre
Worked examples
Example 2
A container holds 2000 cm3. How many litres is this?
- 1000 cm3 is 1 litre
- Divide by 1000 to change cm3 into litres
- 2000 divided by 1000 = 2
So: The container holds 2 litres.
Example 3
A cuboid is 6 cm long, 4 cm wide and 3 cm high. Find its volume.
- For a cuboid, volume = length × width × height.
- Multiply 6 × 4 first to get 24
- Then multiply by 3: 24 × 3 = 72
So: The volume is 72 cm3.