Measuring Shapes and Spaces

Geometry helps us find out how much space shapes fill up (volume), cover (area), or wrap around (surface area).

Area

The area is the space inside a shape.

• Rectangle: \( \text{Area} = \text{length} \times \text{width} \)
• Triangle: \( \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} \)

Volume

Volume tells us how much fits inside a 3D object.

• Rectangular prism: \( \text{Volume} = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height} \)

Surface Area

Surface area is the total area of all the faces of a 3D object.

• Find the area of each face and add them up.

Why It Matters

Builders, designers, and engineers use these calculations every day!