Measure volumes by counting unit cubes

What you'll learn

1. Determine the volume of a solid figure by counting the total number of unit cubes that pack it, including cubes that are hidden from view in a diagram or physical model
2. Express volume measurements using standard cubic units - cubic centimeters (cm^3), cubic inches (in^3), and cubic feet (ft^3) - matching the unit to the size of the unit cube used
3. Use improvised units (connecting cubes, sugar cubes, or other cube-shaped objects) to measure volume, and explain why the chosen unit must be cube-shaped and consistent throughout a measurement
4. Apply a layer-counting strategy to determine volume efficiently: count the cubes in one layer, then multiply by the number of layers
5. Compare volumes of two or more figures measured with the same unit and explain which figure has greater volume and by how much
6. Explain why the same solid figure can have different numerical volumes when measured with different-sized unit cubes, and why stating the unit is essential to a meaningful measurement