ACT Math : How to find the volume of a cylinder

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Volume Of A Cylinder

A certain cylinder has diameter that is twice the length of its height. If the volume of the cylinder is 64\pi\displaystyle 64\pi cubic inches, what is its radius?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 4\ inches

\displaystyle 8\ inches

\displaystyle 4\pi \ inches

\displaystyle 8\pi \ inches

\displaystyle 16\ inches

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 4\ inches

Explanation:

The volume of a cylinder is:

V=\pi r^{2}h\displaystyle V=\pi r^{2}h

You can think of the volume as the area of the base times the height. Since it is given that the diameter is twice the length of the height, the radius (half the diameter) equals the height. If it helps to visualize these dimensions, draw the cylinder described.

The equation can be rewritten, using the height in terms of the radius.

\displaystyle h=r

\displaystyle V=\pi r^2(r)

V=\pi r^{3}\displaystyle V=\pi r^{3}

Plug in the given volume to solve for the radius.

64\pi=\pi r^{3}\displaystyle 64\pi=\pi r^{3}

64=r^{3}\displaystyle 64=r^{3}

4=r\displaystyle 4=r

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Volume Of A Cylinder

The radius of a cylinder is five and its height is nine. What is its volume?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 405\pi

\displaystyle 225\pi

\displaystyle 45\pi

\displaystyle 2025\pi

\displaystyle 25\pi+9

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 225\pi

Explanation:

To solve this question, you must remember that the formula for volume is the product of the area of the base and the height. The area of the base of this cylinder is \displaystyle \pi r^2.

\displaystyle V=A_b*h=\pi r^2h

Plug in the given radius and height to solve.

\displaystyle V=\pi(5)^2(9)

\displaystyle V=\pi(25)(9)

\displaystyle V=225\pi

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Volume Of A Cylinder

What is the volume of a round metal washer with an outer radius of 8 in, an inner radius of 2 in, and a thickness of 0.5 in?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 6\pi\ in^3

\displaystyle 24\pi\ in^3

\displaystyle 30\pi\ in^3

\displaystyle 10\pi\ in^3

\displaystyle 16\pi\ in^3

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 30\pi\ in^3

Explanation:

The volume of a cylinder is given by the formula: \displaystyle V=\pi r^2h.

For a shape with a hole through the center, the final volume is equal to the total volume of the shape minus the volume of the inner hole. In this question, we are looking for the volume given by the larger radius minus the volume given by the smaller radius. The height is equal to the thickness of the washer.

\displaystyle V=\pi r_1^2h-\pi r_2^2h

\displaystyle V=\pi(8)^2(0.5)-\pi(2)^2(0.5)

\displaystyle V=\pi(64)(0.5)-\pi(4)(0.5)

\displaystyle V=32\pi-2\pi

\displaystyle V=30\pi\ in^3

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Volume Of A Cylinder

How much more volume can a cylinder hold than a cone given that both have the same radius and height?

Here B represents the area of the Base, and h the height.

Possible Answers:

None of the answers are correct

\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}Bh

\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}Bh

\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}Bh

\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}Bh

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}Bh

Explanation:

Cylinder:  \displaystyle V=Bh          Cone:  \displaystyle V=\frac{1}{3}Bh

Thus the difference is 2/3Bh and that means a cylinder can hold 2/3Bh more given the same radius and height.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Volume Of A Cylinder

The height of a right circular cylinder is \displaystyle 5m and its radius is \displaystyle 3m. What is the volume, in cubic meters, of the cylinder?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 30\pi

\displaystyle 75\pi

\displaystyle 15\pi

\displaystyle 45\pi

\displaystyle 9\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 45\pi

Explanation:

The volume of a right circular cylinder is equal to its height (\displaystyle h) multiplied by the area of the circle base (\displaystyle \pi r^2).

In this scenario, the Volume

\displaystyle V=5* (\pi *3^2) = 45\pi.

Therefore, the volume is \displaystyle 45\pi.

Example Question #5 : Cylinders

What is the volume of a cylinder with a radius of four inches and a height of seven inches?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 784 \pi inches^3

\displaystyle 3256 \pi inches^3

\displaystyle 112 inches^2

\displaystyle 196 \pi inches^3

\displaystyle 112\pi inches^3

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 112\pi inches^3

Explanation:

Plug the radius and height into the formula for the volume of a cylinder:

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Volume Of A Cylinder

What is the volume of a cylinder with a base diameter of 12 and a height of 3? Leave your answer in terms of \displaystyle \pi

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 108

\displaystyle 36\pi

\displaystyle 54\pi

\displaystyle 100\pi

\displaystyle 108\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 108\pi

Explanation:

To find the volume of a cylinder use formula:

\displaystyle V = \pi r^2*h

For a cylinder with a radius of 6 and a height of 3 this yields:

\displaystyle V = \pi 6^2*3

     \displaystyle =108\pi

Example Question #6 : Cylinders

Find the volume of a cylinder whose diameter is \displaystyle 6 and height is \displaystyle 8.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 24\pi

\displaystyle 72\pi

\displaystyle 288\pi

\displaystyle 48\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 72\pi

Explanation:

To find volume, simply use the following formula. Remember, you were given diameter so radius is half of that. Thus,

\displaystyle V=\pi{r^2}h=\pi*3^2*8=72\pi

Example Question #7 : Cylinders

Find the volume of cylinder with diameter of \displaystyle 6 and height of \displaystyle 2.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 12\pi

\displaystyle 18\pi

\displaystyle 72\pi

\displaystyle 36\pi

\displaystyle 24\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 18\pi

Explanation:

To find volume of a cylinder, simply use the following formula. Thus,

Example Question #8 : Cylinders

Find the volume fo a cylinder whose radius is \displaystyle 1 and height is \displaystyle 11.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 0

\displaystyle 11\pi

\displaystyle 44\pi

\displaystyle 22\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 11\pi

Explanation:

To solve, simply use the formula. Thus,

\displaystyle V=\pi{r^2}h=\pi\cdot1^2\cdot11=\pi\cdot1\cdot11=11\pi

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