Volume word problems

Volume word problems
Description
Exercise Name:	Volume word problems
Math Missions:	5th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, 6th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, Pre-algebra Math Mission, Mathematics I Math Mission
Types of Problems:	3

The Volume word problems exercise appears under the 5th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, 6th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, Pre-algebra Math Mission and Mathematics I Math Mission. This exercise provides inspiration to work hard with volume word problems.

Types of Problems

There are three types of problems in this exercise:

1. What dimensions to send: This problem provides a situation where a courier is expected to send a package with some dimension restrictions. The user is asked to find the dimensions that will work to make the transaction successful.

   

   What dimensions to send

2. Volume left in tank: This problem supposes a solid object placed in a tank of liquid. Users are asked to find the amount of liquid outside the solid but in the tank.

   

   Volume left in tank

3. Conversion: Very simple problem. The user is asked to take a given metric volume measurement and convert into another.

   

   Conversion

Strategies

This exercise is easy to get accuracy badges because the volume formula for rectangular solids is fairly straightforward (length times width times height). Speed badges are medium because although problems are not diverse, they do change.

1. The What dimensions to send problem only requires fast division. If you can find a "large single digit" factor quickly, the others should fall quickly also.
2. This one is nice and easy (but can be done faster with early simplification). If the first numbers are ${a}$,${b}$, and ${c}$ and the last are ${x}$, ${y}$, and ${z}$, users can just find ${abc-xyz}$.
3. This can easily change in the near future, but as of now, the answer to Conversion is always the number you see with three additional zeros added on the end.

Real-life Applications

1. When one fills up their vehicle with gas, the volume of gasoline in their gas tank helps to determine their purchase. Whether they fill up with gallons or liters of gasoline or diesel, the amount is a volume calculation. On a smaller scale, when one fills up a gas can to take to another vehicle or to use the gas to power another device, they again use volume for measuring.
2. The ancient Egyptians from over 4000 years ago were very good at shapes and geometry. Every time the Nile burst its banks and flooded the planes, they had to use geometry to measure their gardens and fields all over again.