How to Calculate the Volume of a Cylinder

No matter the size, you can use the same simple formula to determine the volume of a cylinder.

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You Will Need

  • Dimensions of a cylinder
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Scientific calculator (optional)

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Write down the dimension

    Write the height and diameter of the cylinder on a piece of paper.

  2. If you have a diameter measurement, divide the diameter by 2 to get the length the radius.

  3. Step 2

    Square the radius

    Square the radius, or the distance from the center of the base to the outside edge.

  4. Step 3

    Multiply the product

    Multiply the product of the radius squared by pi. This will give you the area of the base of the cylinder.

  5. Use 3.14 to represent pi if you don't have a scientific calculator.

  6. Step 4

    Multiply the base by the height

    Multiply this number by the height of the cylinder to determine the volume.

  7. Step 5

    Write the product in cubic units

    Write the product as a measure of cubic units.

  8. Step 6

    Work backwards to check your solution

    Work backwards to check your solution. Use the formula "volume equals pi times radius squared times height" for future calculations.

  9. The most definitive and influential book written about geometry was written by Euclid, a Greek mathematician during the third century BCE.

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