Grade 7 → Mensuration → Surface Area and Volume ↓
Cubes and Cuboids
Understanding the concepts of cube and cuboid is important to learn about shapes and space in measurement. These are three-dimensional objects that have length, width, and height. Mathematics is the branch of mathematics that deals with the measurement of geometric shapes and figures, such as length, area, and volume. In this article, we will discuss the nuances of cube and cuboid in depth and find out how to calculate their surface area and volume.
Introduction to cubes and cuboids
First, let's figure out what a cube and a cuboid are:
- Cuboid: A cuboid is a three-dimensional shape with six rectangular faces. Each of its angles is a right angle. It looks like a box or rectangular container.
- Cube: A cube is a special type of cuboid in which all three dimensions (length, breadth and height) are equal. This makes all the faces of the cube square.
Visual representation of cuboid
The above figure is a visual representation of a cuboid.
Visual representation of a cube
The above picture is a visual representation of a cube.
Surface area of cuboid
A cuboid has six faces, with opposite faces being identical. The total surface area of a cuboid is the sum of the areas of all its six rectangular faces. If a cuboid has a length l
, width b
and height h
, its surface area is calculated as:
Total Surface Area = 2(lb + bh + hl)
For example, let us find the surface area of a cuboid with length 5 cm, width 3 cm, and height 4 cm.
Total Surface Area = 2(5 * 3 + 3 * 4 + 4 * 5)
Total Surface Area = 2(15 + 12 + 20)
Total Surface Area = 2(47)
Total Surface Area = 94 square cm
Surface area of a cube
Since a cube is essentially a cuboid with all sides equal, each face of the cube is a square. If the side of the cube is a
, then the surface area of the cube is:
Total Surface Area = 6a2
For example, if the side of a cube is 4 cm, then its surface area will be:
Total Surface Area = 6 × 42
Total Surface Area = 6 × 16
Total Surface Area = 96 square cm
Volume of a cuboid
The volume of a cuboid is the space it occupies, it can be determined by multiplying its length, width and height. If a cuboid has a length l
, width b
and height h
, then its volume is:
Volume = l × b × h
For example, let's find the volume of a cuboid with a length of 5 cm, a width of 3 cm, and a height of 4 cm:
Volume = 5 × 3 × 4
Volume = 60 cubic cm
Volume of a cube
Since a cube is a special type of cuboid where all sides are equal, the volume of a cube is obtained by multiplying the length of the side by itself three times. If the side of a cube is a
, then its volume is given by:
Volume = a3
For example, if the side length of a cube is 4 cm, then its volume will be:
Volume = 43
Volume = 64 cubic cm
Example problems
Example problem 1: Surface area of cuboid
Find the total surface area of a cuboid whose length is 8 cm, width is 6 cm and height is 5 cm.
Use of the formula:
Total Surface Area = 2(lb + bh + hl)
Substitute Values:
Total Surface Area = 2(8 * 6 + 6 * 5 + 5 * 8)
Total Surface Area = 2(48 + 30 + 40)
Total Surface Area = 2(118)
Total Surface Area = 236 square cm
Example problem 2: Volume of a cube
Find the volume of a cube of side 7 cm.
Use of the formula:
Volume = a3
Substitute Values:
Volume = 73
Volume = 343 cubic cm
Example problem 3: Volume of a cuboid
Find the volume of a cuboid of length 3 cm, breadth 4 cm and height 5 cm.
Use of the formula:
Volume = l × b × h
Substitute Values:
Volume = 3 × 4 × 5
Volume = 60 cubic cm
Example problem 4: Surface area of a cube
Find the surface area of a cube of side 6 cm.
Use of the formula:
Total Surface Area = 6a2
Substitute Values:
Total Surface Area = 6 × 62
Total Surface Area = 6 × 36
Total Surface Area = 216 square cm
Important things to remember
- A cube is a special form of a cuboid, where the length, breadth and height are equal.
- The total surface area of a cube can be found using the formula
6a2
. - The surface area of a cuboid is found by adding the areas of its six faces.
- Volume measures the space occupied by an object; for cubes and cuboids, it is expressed in cubic units.
- The volume and surface area formulas are important for solving measurement problems.
Conclusion
Understanding cubes and cuboids helps deal with problems related to space and capacity. By knowing the surface area and volume formulas, one can tackle many practical problems. Whether you are calculating how much material is needed to build a box or how much space is left in a storage container, these concepts are incredibly useful.