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Math Coach Amy
Amy Ferguson Moncure

7th Grade Math · Unit 8

Changing a
Measurement

When one side of a prism is multiplied by a number, the volume is multiplied by that same number. The surface area changes by a different amount.

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What to Remember

Volume scales with that side

If one dimension of a prism is multiplied by a number, the volume is multiplied by that same number.

Doubling the length doubles the volume. Cutting the length in half cuts the volume in half.

Surface area does not copy that factor

The surface area changes, but not by that same factor, because some faces do not use that dimension.

Doubling the length does not double the surface area.

Which faces change

Faces that use the changed side get a new area. Faces that do not use that side stay the same.

Add the new face areas instead of multiplying the old surface area by the factor.

Level 1

Easy

The length is multiplied by 2 or by one half. The volume uses that same factor.

Example
A rectangular prism is 6 cm by 4 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. How does the volume change?

V = lwh

original volume = 6 × 4 × 3 = 72

Multiply the length by 2.

new length = 12

new volume = 12 × 4 × 3 = 144

The volume is multiplied by 2.

72 × 2 = 144

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 2, from 72 to 144 cubic cm.

1
A rectangular prism is 4 cm by 3 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 4 × 3 × 2 = 24

Multiply the length by 2.

new length = 8

new volume = 8 × 3 × 2 = 48

The volume is multiplied by 2.

24 × 2 = 48

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 2, from 24 to 48 cubic cm.

2
A rectangular prism is 5 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 5 × 2 × 2 = 20

Multiply the length by 2.

new length = 10

new volume = 10 × 2 × 2 = 40

The volume is multiplied by 2.

20 × 2 = 40

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 2, from 20 to 40 cubic cm.

3
A rectangular prism is 8 cm by 2 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 8 × 2 × 3 = 48

Multiply the length by 12.

new length = 4

new volume = 4 × 2 × 3 = 24

The volume is multiplied by 12.

48 × 12 = 24

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 12, from 48 to 24 cubic cm.

4
A rectangular prism is 6 cm by 5 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 6 × 5 × 2 = 60

Multiply the length by 12.

new length = 3

new volume = 3 × 5 × 2 = 30

The volume is multiplied by 12.

60 × 12 = 30

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 12, from 60 to 30 cubic cm.

5
A rectangular prism is 3 cm by 4 cm by 5 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 3 × 4 × 5 = 60

Multiply the length by 2.

new length = 6

new volume = 6 × 4 × 5 = 120

The volume is multiplied by 2.

60 × 2 = 120

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 2, from 60 to 120 cubic cm.

6
A rectangular prism is 10 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 10 × 2 × 2 = 40

Multiply the length by 12.

new length = 5

new volume = 5 × 2 × 2 = 20

The volume is multiplied by 12.

40 × 12 = 20

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 12, from 40 to 20 cubic cm.

7
A rectangular prism is 7 cm by 3 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 7 × 3 × 2 = 42

Multiply the length by 2.

new length = 14

new volume = 14 × 3 × 2 = 84

The volume is multiplied by 2.

42 × 2 = 84

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 2, from 42 to 84 cubic cm.

8
A rectangular prism is 12 cm by 2 cm by 4 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 12 × 2 × 4 = 96

Multiply the length by 12.

new length = 6

new volume = 6 × 2 × 4 = 48

The volume is multiplied by 12.

96 × 12 = 48

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 12, from 96 to 48 cubic cm.

9
A rectangular prism is 9 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 9 × 2 × 2 = 36

Multiply the length by 2.

new length = 18

new volume = 18 × 2 × 2 = 72

The volume is multiplied by 2.

36 × 2 = 72

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 2, from 36 to 72 cubic cm.

10
A rectangular prism is 14 cm by 3 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 14 × 3 × 2 = 84

Multiply the length by 12.

new length = 7

new volume = 7 × 3 × 2 = 42

The volume is multiplied by 12.

84 × 12 = 42

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 12, from 84 to 42 cubic cm.

Level 2

Medium

The length is multiplied by 3, 4, one third, or one fourth.

Example
A rectangular prism is 9 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 13. How does the volume change?

V = lwh

original volume = 9 × 2 × 2 = 36

Multiply the length by 13.

new length = 3

new volume = 3 × 2 × 2 = 12

The volume is multiplied by 13.

36 × 13 = 12

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 13, from 36 to 12 cubic cm.

1
A rectangular prism is 2 cm by 3 cm by 4 cm. The length is multiplied by 3. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 2 × 3 × 4 = 24

Multiply the length by 3.

new length = 6

new volume = 6 × 3 × 4 = 72

The volume is multiplied by 3.

24 × 3 = 72

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 3, from 24 to 72 cubic cm.

2
A rectangular prism is 5 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 3. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 5 × 2 × 2 = 20

Multiply the length by 3.

new length = 15

new volume = 15 × 2 × 2 = 60

The volume is multiplied by 3.

20 × 3 = 60

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 3, from 20 to 60 cubic cm.

3
A rectangular prism is 3 cm by 4 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 4. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 3 × 4 × 2 = 24

Multiply the length by 4.

new length = 12

new volume = 12 × 4 × 2 = 96

The volume is multiplied by 4.

24 × 4 = 96

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 4, from 24 to 96 cubic cm.

4
A rectangular prism is 1 cm by 5 cm by 6 cm. The length is multiplied by 4. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 1 × 5 × 6 = 30

Multiply the length by 4.

new length = 4

new volume = 4 × 5 × 6 = 120

The volume is multiplied by 4.

30 × 4 = 120

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 4, from 30 to 120 cubic cm.

5
A rectangular prism is 6 cm by 2 cm by 5 cm. The length is multiplied by 13. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 6 × 2 × 5 = 60

Multiply the length by 13.

new length = 2

new volume = 2 × 2 × 5 = 20

The volume is multiplied by 13.

60 × 13 = 20

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 13, from 60 to 20 cubic cm.

6
A rectangular prism is 12 cm by 3 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 13. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 12 × 3 × 2 = 72

Multiply the length by 13.

new length = 4

new volume = 4 × 3 × 2 = 24

The volume is multiplied by 13.

72 × 13 = 24

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 13, from 72 to 24 cubic cm.

7
A rectangular prism is 8 cm by 2 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 14. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 8 × 2 × 3 = 48

Multiply the length by 14.

new length = 2

new volume = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12

The volume is multiplied by 14.

48 × 14 = 12

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 14, from 48 to 12 cubic cm.

8
A rectangular prism is 4 cm by 5 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 14. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 4 × 5 × 2 = 40

Multiply the length by 14.

new length = 1

new volume = 1 × 5 × 2 = 10

The volume is multiplied by 14.

40 × 14 = 10

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 14, from 40 to 10 cubic cm.

9
A rectangular prism is 15 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 13. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 15 × 2 × 2 = 60

Multiply the length by 13.

new length = 5

new volume = 5 × 2 × 2 = 20

The volume is multiplied by 13.

60 × 13 = 20

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 13, from 60 to 20 cubic cm.

10
A rectangular prism is 16 cm by 2 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 14. How does the volume change?
Show Answer

V = lwh

original volume = 16 × 2 × 3 = 96

Multiply the length by 14.

new length = 4

new volume = 4 × 2 × 3 = 24

The volume is multiplied by 14.

96 × 14 = 24

Answer: The volume is multiplied by 14, from 96 to 24 cubic cm.

Level 3

Hard

The surface area changes, but not by the same factor as the length.

Example
A rectangular prism is 8 cm by 5 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 158

Multiply the length by 2. The new length is 16 cm.

new surface area = 286

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 286 square cm, compared with 158 square cm

1
A rectangular prism is 4 cm by 3 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 52

Multiply the length by 2. The new length is 8 cm.

new surface area = 92

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 92 square cm, compared with 52 square cm

2
A rectangular prism is 8 cm by 3 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 92

Multiply the length by 12. The new length is 4 cm.

new surface area = 52

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 52 square cm, compared with 92 square cm

3
A rectangular prism is 5 cm by 4 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 94

Multiply the length by 2. The new length is 10 cm.

new surface area = 164

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 164 square cm, compared with 94 square cm

4
A rectangular prism is 10 cm by 4 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 164

Multiply the length by 12. The new length is 5 cm.

new surface area = 94

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 94 square cm, compared with 164 square cm

5
A rectangular prism is 6 cm by 2 cm by 5 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 104

Multiply the length by 2. The new length is 12 cm.

new surface area = 188

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 188 square cm, compared with 104 square cm

6
A rectangular prism is 12 cm by 5 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 188

Multiply the length by 12. The new length is 6 cm.

new surface area = 104

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 104 square cm, compared with 188 square cm

7
A rectangular prism is 7 cm by 2 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 82

Multiply the length by 2. The new length is 14 cm.

new surface area = 152

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 152 square cm, compared with 82 square cm

8
A rectangular prism is 14 cm by 2 cm by 3 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 152

Multiply the length by 12. The new length is 7 cm.

new surface area = 82

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 82 square cm, compared with 152 square cm

9
A rectangular prism is 9 cm by 4 cm by 2 cm. The length is multiplied by 2. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 124

Multiply the length by 2. The new length is 18 cm.

new surface area = 232

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 232 square cm, compared with 124 square cm

10
A rectangular prism is 16 cm by 3 cm by 4 cm. The length is multiplied by 12. Find the new surface area, and compare it with the original.
Show Answer

SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh

original surface area = 248

Multiply the length by 12. The new length is 8 cm.

new surface area = 136

Only the faces that use the length change, so the surface area is not multiplied by the same factor.

Answer: 136 square cm, compared with 248 square cm

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