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MEASUREMENT  
Lesson 4 - Page 1

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LESSON 4 – Measuring Volume (Lab)

Measuring volume depends on the shape of the object.   If you were to guess which vase has the largest capacity (ability to hold liquid), you would probably say the tan vase.  What happens if the tan vase has a high bottom as outlined with the dotted lines?  Which vase then would have the most capacity?   The brown one has the largest.   Volume and capacity refers to the inside of an object, which is sometimes difficult to observe.

There are different rules finding the volume for polygons, prisms, and shapes associated with circles.  Volume can be measured by putting in a fluid substance (i.e., water) and then pouring the contents into a known volume.   However, an easier way is to measure certain linear measurements (length, width, and height) and calculate.