NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids

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published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

This applet-based resource was developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as an example of how to teach about volume and surface area in the middle grades. Students manipulate the side length and scale factor of one of two rectangles. The applet provides values for volume and surface area of each rectangle, allowing students to quickly see the impact on volume of even a small change. Graphs may also be viewed, showing the cubic nature of volume and the quadratic nature of surface area.

See Related Items for another editor-recommended simulation that explores volume in both rectangular prisms and triangular prisms.

This resource is part of a larger collection of lessons, labs, and activities developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

Please note that this resource requires Java Applet Plug-in.

https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactive...

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
General Physics - Measurement/Units = Units and Dimensional Analysis Other Sciences - Mathematics	- Middle School - High School	- Instructional Material = Activity = Best practice = Interactive Simulation

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Learners - General Publics	- application/java - text/html	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2003 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; http://illuminations.nctm.org/TermsOfUse.aspx
Keywords:: geometry, measurement, rectangular prism, volume, volume simulation
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created February 4, 2011 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: August 19, 2020 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: July 15, 2008
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

9. The Mathematical World

9C. Shapes

6-8: 9C/M7. For regularly shaped objects, relationships exist between the linear dimensions, surface area, and volume.
6-8: 9C/M10. Geometric relationships can be described using symbolic equations.
9-12: 9C/H3a. Geometric shapes and relationships can be described in terms of symbols and numbers—and vice versa.

12. Habits of Mind

12B. Computation and Estimation

6-8: 12B/M3. Calculate the circumferences and areas of rectangles, triangles, and circles, and the volumes of rectangular solids.

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=10648">National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids. Reston: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, July 15, 2008.</a>

AIP Format

(National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Reston, 2003), WWW Document, (https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/).

AJP/PRST-PER

NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Reston, 2003), <https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/>.

APA Format

NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids. (2008, July 15). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/

Chicago Format

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids. Reston: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, July 15, 2008. https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/ (accessed 19 April 2024).

MLA Format

NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids. Reston: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2003. 15 July 2008. 19 Apr. 2024 <https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids}, Publisher = {National Council of Teachers of Mathematics}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {19 April 2024}, Month = {July 15, 2008}, Year = {2003} }

Refer Export Format

%T NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids %D July 15, 2008 %I National Council of Teachers of Mathematics %C Reston %U https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/ %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D July 15, 2008 %T NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids %I National Council of Teachers of Mathematics %V 2024 %N 19 April 2024 %8 July 15, 2008 %9 application/java %U https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Side-Length,-Volume,-and-Surface-Area-of-Similar-Solids/

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Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

NCTM: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids:

Covers the Same Topic As CSERD Interactivate: Surface Area and Volume

To extend the concept, this Java-based activity explores volume of both a rectangular prism and a triangular prism. It allows the student to do computations and check answers.

relation by Caroline Hall

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