What you’ll learn
Calculate pyramid volume.
Key idea
A pyramid is one third of the matching base-area-times-height volume.
Base area times height is a matching prism volume, not pyramid volume.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
A pyramid has a rectangular base 2 by 3 units and perpendicular height 8 units. Find exact volume in cubic units.
- The base area is 2*3=6.
- Volume=6*8/3=16 cubic units.
Answer: 16
Quick Check
Evaluate a worked attempt at calculate pyramid volume, identify the first invalid step, and provide the correction.
A pyramid has base 2 by 6 and perpendicular height 6. Step 1 gets base-area-times-height=12*6=72. Step 2 calls that the pyramid volume. Locate the first invalid step and correct volume.