Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Get ready for the ALEKS Basic Math Placement Test. Study with interactive quizzes and detailed explanations. Prepare to excel!

Practice this question and more.

What is the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism?

V = l + w + h
V = lwh
SA = 2(lw + lh + wh)
P = 2(l + w)

The correct answer is: V = lwh

The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is expressed as V = lwh, where V represents the volume, l is the length, w is the width, and h is the height of the prism. This formula is derived from the concept of finding the total space contained within the prism. To understand this, consider that the volume of any prism can be visualized as the area of the base multiplied by the height. For a rectangular prism, the base is a rectangle which has an area equal to length times width (l × w). When you multiply this area by the height (h), you get the total volume, which mathematically translates into V = l × w × h. Using this formula allows you to accurately calculate how much three-dimensional space is occupied by the prism, making it essential for problems related to geometry, architecture, and various real-world applications like storage and shipping.