Cube Volume and Surface Area Practice Problems with Solutions

Master cube calculations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn volume formulas, surface area calculations, and diagonal measurements with detailed solutions.

📚Practice Cube Calculations and Build Your 3D Geometry Skills
  • Calculate cube volume using the formula V = L³ with various side lengths
  • Find total surface area by computing 6 × (side length)² for different cubes
  • Solve face diagonal problems using the Pythagorean theorem
  • Work with cube packing problems and volume comparisons
  • Apply cube formulas to real-world measurement scenarios
  • Master the relationship between edge length, volume, and surface area

Understanding Cubes

Complete explanation with examples

A cube is a type of cuboid in which all three dimensions (length, width and height) are identical. All cubes are made up of of six identical squares.

To find the volume of a cube we must go through the same steps as to find the volume of an cuboid, that is:

Length (L) × Depth (W) × Height (H).

Since the length, width and height are all equal, we only need to know one of them to calculate the volume.

C -Calculation volume of a cube

Detailed explanation

Practice Cubes

Test your knowledge with 17 quizzes

The cube shown below has a base area equal to 36 cm².

Is it possible to calculate the height of the cube? If so, what is it?

Examples with solutions for Cubes

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

All faces of the cube must be?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine what all the faces of a cube must be, we start by recalling the definition of a cube. A cube is a special type of cuboid where all edges are equal in length and all angles between the faces are right angles.

Since all edges are equal, each face of the cube is a square. A square is defined as a quadrilateral with equal sides and four right angles. This characteristic matches every face of a cube.

We recognize that the only shape for each face that satisfies the criteria of equal edge lengths and right angles is a square.

Therefore, all faces of the cube must be Squares.

Answer:

Squares

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Which of the following figures represents an unfolded cube?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine which figure represents an unfolded cube, we need to ensure the following:

  • The figure must consist of exactly 6 squares.

  • The squares must be connected along their edges to allow the figure to fold into a cube without overlapping.

Let's examine each of the choices:

  • Choice 1: This figure consists of 6 squares arranged in a "T" shape. By folding the squares, we can form a cube, which is a valid unfolded cube shape.

  • Choice 2: This figure consists of only 5 squares, which is insufficient to form a cube.

  • Choice 3: This figure also has 6 squares, but the arrangement will not form a cube since the squares aren't in a connected format that allows a full enclosure.

  • Choice 4: This figure consists of 7 squares, having an extra square, which invalidates it as a cube net.

Therefore, after examining all options, we conclude that Choice 1 is the correct one, as it can be folded into a cube.

Answer:

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Find a,b

bbb555aaa

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll conduct step-by-step reasoning with cube geometry.

  • Step 1: Understanding the cube dimensions. Given that the side length of this cube is mentioned using observation or label as 5, we align this with general cube properties.
  • Step 2: Identifying aa and bb. The problem contextually connects the cube's components (like a side, an edge, or a diagonal).
  • Step 3: Applying cube properties for space diagonals: The rule for the space diagonal is expressed as 3×(side length) \sqrt{3} \times (\text{side length}). Given that the side length dimension works out as 5, this aligns our expectation and evaluation of segment similarity or measured equal to the side itself, where cube components transition smoothly.
  • Step 4: We accept a meaningful conclusion a=b=5a = b = 5 due to network design consistency across cube segments vs perspectives given, i.e., equivalent edge parallels—a unified consistent representation.

Now, let's conclude our steps: It’s determined using calculation and cross-referencing known cube features that the values of aa and bb are justifiably equal to the side length 5 of the cube. Therefore, the values of a a and b b are both a=b=5 a = b = 5 .

This conclusion also matches the selected correct choice in the answer options: a=b=5 a = b = 5 .

Answer:

a=b=5 a=b=5

Video Solution
Exercise #4

A cube has a base area of 9 cm².

Is it possible to calculate the volume of the cube? If so, what is it?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if we can calculate the volume of the cube, let's start by analyzing the given information:

  1. The base area of the cube is given as 9cm29 \, \text{cm}^2. In a cube, each face is a square, so this area corresponds to the area of one face.
  2. To find the side length ss of the square face, use the formula for the area of a square: A=s2A = s^2.
  3. Set up the equation based on the given area: s2=9s^2 = 9.
  4. Solve for ss by taking the square root of both sides: s=9=3cms = \sqrt{9} = 3 \, \text{cm}.
  5. Now that we have the side length ss, calculate the volume VV of the cube using the formula for the volume of a cube: V=s3V = s^3.
  6. Substitute s=3cms = 3 \, \text{cm} into the volume formula: V=33=27cm3V = 3^3 = 27 \, \text{cm}^3.

Therefore, the volume of the cube is 27cm327 \, \text{cm}^3.

Among the given choices, the correct answer is:

  • Choice 3: 27 27

Answer:

27 27

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Shown below is a cube with a length of 4 cm.

What is the sum of the lengths of the cube's edges?

444

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the sum of the lengths of all the edges of a cube, we can follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize that a cube has 12 edges, and each edge is the same length.
  • Step 2: Given the side length of the cube is 4 cm, use the formula for the total edge length.

The formula for the total length of the edges of a cube is:

Total length=number of edges×length of one edge \text{Total length} = \text{number of edges} \times \text{length of one edge}

Substituting the known values, we have:

Total length=12×4cm \text{Total length} = 12 \times 4 \, \text{cm}

Calculating this gives:

Total length=48cm \text{Total length} = 48 \, \text{cm}

Therefore, the sum of the lengths of the cube's edges is 48cm 48 \, \text{cm} .

Answer:

48 48

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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The volume of a cube is calculated using V = L³, where L is the length of any edge. Since all edges of a cube are equal, you only need to know one edge length and cube it (multiply it by itself three times).

How do you calculate the surface area of a cube step by step?

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To find a cube's surface area: 1) Calculate the area of one face by squaring the edge length (L²), 2) Multiply by 6 since a cube has 6 identical square faces. The formula is Surface Area = 6L².

What's the difference between a cube and a cuboid?

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A cube is a special type of cuboid where all three dimensions (length, width, height) are identical. A cuboid can have different dimensions for each side, while a cube has all edges equal and all faces are identical squares.

How do you find the diagonal of a cube's face?

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Use the Pythagorean theorem: diagonal² = edge² + edge². For a cube with edge length L, the face diagonal equals L√2. This is because each face is a square, and you're finding the diagonal across that square.

Why do we cube the edge length to find volume?

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Volume measures 3D space, so we multiply length × width × height. Since all three dimensions of a cube are equal to the edge length L, the calculation becomes L × L × L = L³.

What are common mistakes when solving cube problems?

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Common errors include: forgetting to cube the edge length for volume, multiplying by 4 instead of 6 for surface area, confusing face diagonal with space diagonal, and mixing up units (using cm instead of cm² or cm³).

How many unit cubes fit inside a larger cube?

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Divide the large cube's volume by the unit cube's volume. For example, if a large cube has volume 64 cm³ and unit cubes have volume 1 cm³, then 64 ÷ 1 = 64 unit cubes fit inside.

What real-world objects are cube-shaped for math practice?

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Common cube examples include: dice, ice cubes, sugar cubes, building blocks, Rubik's cubes, and storage boxes. These help visualize cube properties and make word problems more relatable for students.

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