Introduction to cubic feet explained with examples

The term cubic foot is related to the measurements. Measurement is an essential element of mathematics and physics. This is a general term which we often listen to in our daily life, like if you hire some laborers and a contractor and you are going to make a new building.

The contractor and the laborers will use this term on and off during their work. Many other daily life examples are there but for that purpose, you have to look into your surroundings for example the amount of water a household uses can be calculated with the help of this topic.

In this topic, we will study the definition of cubic feet, how to calculate the volume in cubic feet, and some other tips & tricks.

Definition

According to Wikipedia:
The Cubic foot (symbol ft3 or cu ft.) is an imperial and US customary (non-metric) unit of volume, used in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is defined as the volume of a cube with sides of one foot (0.3048 m) in length.

The formula of cubic feet

Cubic feet = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

How to calculate cubic feet?

Calculating the volume in cubic feet is not much difficult, the multiplication process is used in this calculation. While calculating it we first have to check the units of the given data. If the data is given in feet, then the process is very simple.

But on the other hand, if the data is given in any other units, then the calculation will be a bit longer. The following examples will help you to understand the calculations easily.

Example 1

(Given data is in feet)

Find the volume of the cube whose height is 8 feet width of 3 feet and length is 2 feet.

Solution:

Step-I: Write the given data.

Length= 2 ft.

Width= 3 ft.

Height= 8 ft.

As we know the formula of the volume in cubic feet is:

Volume (Cubic feet) = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Step-II: Put the data in the formula

Volume = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Volume = 2ft × 3ft × 8ft

Volume = 48 ft3

The above problem can also be solved by using a cubic feet calculator.

Example 2

Calculate the volume of a cylinder of the height of 4 ft., Length of 0.6 ft., and width of 1 ft.

Solution:

Step-I: Write the given data.

Length= 0.6 ft.

Width= 1 ft.

Height= 4 ft.

Formula of the volume in cubic feet is:

Volume (Cubic feet) = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Step-II: Put the data in the formula

Volume = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Volume = 0.6ft × 1ft × 4ft

Volume = 2.4 ft3

The above two examples are enough to justify the calculation process. Now if the units are not given in cubic feet, then what should we have to do? Convert them into feet and then perform calculations. The units of the given data can be in meters, yards, inches, etc.

Example 3

(Given data is in meters)

Calculate the volume of a cube of width 1.2 meters Length of 1.3 meters and height of 1.7 meters.

Solution:

Step-I: Write the given data.

Length= 1.3 m

Width= 1.2 m

Height= 1.7 m

The formula of the volume in cubic feet is:

Volume (Cubic feet) = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Step-II: Conversion.

In this step, we will convert the given data into feet.

“1 meter” is approximately equal to “3.2808 feet”

To convert the data into feet we will multiply it by “3.2808”

Length= 1.3 × 3.2808= 4.26504 ft.

Width= 1.2 × 3.2808= 3.93696 ft.

Height= 1.7 × 3.2808= 5.57736 ft.

Step-III: Put the values in the formula

Volume = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Volume = 4.26504 ft. × 3.93696 ft. × 5.57736 ft.

Volume = 93.6511 ft3

Example 4

There is a cage with a width of 2 yards, Length of 5 yards, and height of 3 yards. Find its volume.

Solution:

Step-I: Write the given data.

Length= 5 yd.

Width= 2 yd.

Height= 3 yd.

The formula of the volume in cubic feet is:

Volume (Cubic feet) = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Step-II: Conversion.

In this step, we will convert the given data into feet.

“1 yard” is equivalent to “3 feet”

To convert the data into feet we will multiply it by “3”

Length= 4 × 3 = 12 ft.

Width= 2 × 3 = 6 ft.

Height= 3 × 3 = 9 ft.

Step-III: Put the values in the formula

Volume = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Height (feet)

Volume = 12 ft. × 6, ft. × 9 ft.

Volume = 648 ft3

Conversion

In the above examples, we have converted the unit “meter and yard” to “feet”. The table drawn below will help you to perform the calculations in a better way.

Units Value in feet Cubic Values Conversion in ft3
1 m 3.28084 1 cubic meter 35.3147
1 cm 0.0328084 1 cubic cm 3.53147e-5
1 inch 0.0833333 1 cubic inch 0.000578
1 yd. 3 1 cubic yard 27.00
1 mm 0.00328084 1 cubic mm 3.5314666e-8
Conversion Table

These are the units that are normally used in numerical problems and we commonly use them in our daily routine.          

Summary

In this article, we have studied the basic definition of a cubic foot, its conversion, and calculations. Almost all the basics of cubic feet are described in the above article. You have witnessed that it is not a difficult topic, and now you can solve the problems related to cubic feet.

Leave a Comment