FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

Which formula represents the volume of a pyramid?

1. bh

2. 1/3Bh

3. 1/2 h(a + b)

4. sum of lengths of sides

The correct answer is: 1/3Bh

The volume of a pyramid is determined by the formula \( V = \frac{1}{3}Bh \), where \( B \) represents the area of the base of the pyramid and \( h \) represents the height from the base to the apex (top point) of the pyramid. This formula indicates that the volume of a pyramid is one-third the product of the base area and the height, which is derived from the principle that a pyramid can be thought of as one-third of a corresponding prism with the same base and height. Understanding this concept emphasizes that pyramids have a distinctly different volume calculation compared to other geometric shapes, such as rectangular prisms or other solids, which do not follow the same ratio for volume. The other options mentioned do not correctly represent the volume of a pyramid, as they either pertain to different geometric shapes or are not appropriate formulas for volume measurement in three-dimensional space.