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The first step for finding the volume of a prism is to find the area of the base. How is this step different for rectangular prisms and triangular prisms?

User Afeygin
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Final answer:

The difference between finding the volume of rectangular and triangular prisms begins with calculating the area of the base: rectangular prisms use length times width, while triangular prisms use half the base times the height.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first step for finding the volume of a prism is to find the area of the base. For a rectangular prism, this step involves calculating the area of the rectangular base by multiplying its length by its width (Area = length x width). In contrast, for a triangular prism, you calculate the area of the triangular base by using the formula Area = 0.5 x base x height, where the 'base' is the length of one side of the triangle, and 'height' is the perpendicular distance from that side to the opposite vertex of the triangle.

Once you have the area of the base (A), you can find the volume (V) of either prism by multiplying the area of the base by the height of the prism (V = A x height). It's important to remember to use consistent units, such as meters, when performing these calculations. If you are ever unsure of the correct formula to use, you can back up to more familiar geometric shapes and derive the formula from there.

User Imaginethepoet
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Well, to find the area of a triangular base, use the formula 1/2 x bh (1/2 x base x height).

But to find the area of a rectangular base, simply use w x l (width x length).
User Taavo
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