Calculate Cube Height from 25 cm² Base Area: Geometric Problem Solving

Q: How is a cube different from other 3D shapes?

A cube has all edges equal! This means length = width = height. Unlike rectangular prisms where dimensions can differ, cubes are perfectly symmetrical in all directions.

Q: Why can I find the height from just the base area?

Because the base of a cube is a square, and all faces are identical squares! If base area = 25 cm², then each side = $ \sqrt{25} = 5 $ cm, including the height.

Q: What if the base area wasn't a perfect square?

You'd still use $ s = \sqrt{\text{area}} $, but the answer might be a decimal or radical. For example, if area = 20 cm², then height = $ \sqrt{20} = 2\sqrt{5} $ cm.

Q: Could this problem have multiple answers?

No! Since we only consider positive lengths in geometry, $ \sqrt{25} = 5 $ (not -5). The height of a cube is always positive and unique.

Q: How do I remember which formula to use?

Square area: $ s^2 $Cube volume: $ s^3 $Cube surface area: $ 6s^2 $The base area is just one square face, so use $ s^2 $!

Cube Properties with Base Area Calculations

Below is a cube with a base area of 25 cm².

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

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:10 Let's find the height of the cube.

00:13 We'll mark the height and the length of the cube.

00:17 Use the formula for the base area. That's the height times the length.

00:23 Remember, in a cube, all edges are the same. So, the length equals the height.

00:28 Now, substitute the values into the formula, and let's solve for height, H.

00:36 Next, take the square root. You'll find two possible solutions.

00:45 H must be positive, because it represents an edge length.

00:49 And that's how we solve the problem!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Below is a cube with a base area of 25 cm².

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

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the given information
Step 2: Apply the appropriate formula
Step 3: Perform the necessary calculations

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem gives us the base area of the cube, which is 25 cm².
Step 2: We'll use the formula for the area of a square: $s^2 = 25$ , where $s$ is the side length of the base, and also the height of the cube.
Step 3: Solve the equation $s^2 = 25$ by taking the square root of both sides to find $s$ , the height of the cube.

Therefore, the height $s$ of the cube is $\sqrt{25} = 5$ cm.

Hence, the solution to the problem is $5$ .

Final Answer

$5$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Cube Definition: All edges equal, making height equal side length
Formula: Base area = $s^2 = 25$ , so $s = 5$ cm
Verify: Check that $5^2 = 25$ cm² matches given base area ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Confusing cube with rectangular prism
Don't assume height is different from base side length = wrong answer! A cube has ALL equal edges, unlike rectangular prisms. Always remember that in a cube, height equals the side length of any face.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

A cube has a total of 14 edges.

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How is a cube different from other 3D shapes?

A cube has all edges equal! This means length = width = height. Unlike rectangular prisms where dimensions can differ, cubes are perfectly symmetrical in all directions.

Why can I find the height from just the base area?

Because the base of a cube is a square, and all faces are identical squares! If base area = 25 cm², then each side = $\sqrt{25} = 5$ cm, including the height.

What if the base area wasn't a perfect square?

You'd still use $s = \sqrt{\text{area}}$ , but the answer might be a decimal or radical. For example, if area = 20 cm², then height = $\sqrt{20} = 2\sqrt{5}$ cm.

Could this problem have multiple answers?

No! Since we only consider positive lengths in geometry, $\sqrt{25} = 5$ (not -5). The height of a cube is always positive and unique.

How do I remember which formula to use?

Square area: $s^2$
Cube volume: $s^3$
Cube surface area: $6s^2$

The base area is just one square face, so use $s^2$ !

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Cuboids questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime