Distinguishing Volume and Surface Area
Student Summary
Sometimes we need to find the volume of a prism, and sometimes we need to find the surface area.
Here are some examples of quantities related to volume:
- How much water a container can hold
- How much material it took to build a solid object
Volume is measured in cubic units, like in3 or m3.
Here are some examples of quantities related to surface area:
- How much fabric is needed to cover a surface
- How much of an object needs to be painted
Surface area is measured in square units, like in2 or m2.
Visual / Anchor Chart
Standards
Addressing
7.G.6
Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area of two-dimensional objects composed of triangles and trapezoids. Solve surface area problems involving right prisms and right pyramids composed of triangles and trapezoids. Find the volume of right triangular prisms, and solve volume problems involving three-dimensional objects composed of right rectangular prisms.