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5th grade math · Unit 9: Shapes and volume

No gaps, no overlaps

What this lesson shows

Fixes a mistake

Same-size cubes, packed tight, or the count is wrong.

The worked example

The lesson works this one step by step: 4 × 3 × 2. Then your kid tries one like it on paper.

The steps

  1. Gaps lose cubes
  2. Pack them tight
  3. Count one layer, then the layers

Helping at home

Volume counts all the space inside. Unit cubes must be the same size and packed tight, with no gaps and no overlaps. Then count one layer and multiply by the layers.

If your kid gets stuck

Pack the cubes tight: no gaps, no overlaps.

Watch it with Lux

With Lux, this lesson is a narrated video and a printed page your kid works on. Then Lux helps with the same math on their own worksheet, one question at a time.

See how Lux works

Standards

  • Common Core 5.MD.C.3a
    A cube with side length 1 unit, called a "unit cube," is said to have "one cubic unit" of volume, and can be used to measure volume.
  • Common Core 5.MD.C.3b
    A solid figure which can be packed without gaps or overlaps using n unit cubes is said to have a volume of n cubic units.
  • Common Core 5.MD.C.4
    Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and improvised units.
Matches standards in 49 statesSee each state's code

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