SOLUTION: I am trying to answer the following question: Question: Fran reported that the volume of her cone was 50 inches. Explain to Fran why it is incorrect to report volume in inches.

Question 595859: I am trying to answer the following question:
Question: Fran reported that the volume of her cone was 50 inches. Explain to Fran why it is incorrect to report volume in inches. Include with your explanation a description of what a cubic inch looks like and what it means to have a volume of 50 cubic inches.
I said, "It is not correct to report volume in inches. Volume is measured in cubic units. The volume of a figure is the number of cubes required to fill it completely, like blocks or cubes in a box. A cubic inch is the size of a cub with sides that are 1 inch long; or 1 inch in height by 1 inch in length by 1 inch in width.
I do not know how to answer the last part of the question, which is explain what it means to have a volume of 50 cubic inches. I wanted to say, "it will take 50 cubes to fill the cone is what it means to have a volume of 50 cubic inches." However, this doesn't sound right. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You think of it like this.

Say you filled the cone up with water. If you dumped the water from the cone into a rectangular container that can also hold 50 blocks (not at the same time) that are 1x1x1 inch, and the water filled to the top of this rectangular container, then you can say with certainty that the volume of the cone is 50 cubic inches.

Alternatively, you can think of it as having 50 ice cubes that are 1 inch in length, 1 inch in height, and 1 inch in depth. If you melted those cubes and placed them into the cone (without spilling water), then you can be certain that the cone is 50 cubic inches (again, the water must completely fill it).
RELATED QUESTIONS
The answer for question C, 1074955. Explain to me what is the other answer. I am trying... (answered by richwmiller)

I am trying to determine the probability of the following question. The height of 18... (answered by reviewermath)

I am trying to help my daugter with her homework, and I've forgotten the formula for the... (answered by Fombitz)

I am trying to help a kid figure out how to answer a question that says the total bill... (answered by Earlsdon)

The volume of a cone varies jointly as its height and the square of its radius. If the... (answered by josgarithmetic,greenestamps)

I am trying to figure out how to write a mathematical statement for the following... (answered by Theo)

Hi I am trying to help my daughter with her math homework and I know the answer to the... (answered by scott8148,Earlsdon)

I am trying to find the volume of a composite figure. The figure Is a cylinder that is 3... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

I have a couple of problems that I am trying to help my daughter to understand but I... (answered by scott8148)