Question

what is the volume of this figure?
15 yd.
4 yd.
9 yd.
6 yd.
3 yd.
3 yd.
____ cubic yards

Explanation:

Step1: Find volume of full block

Volume of a rectangular prism is $V = l \times w \times h$.
Full block dimensions: $15$ yd, $4$ yd, $9$ yd.
$V_{full} = 15 \times 4 \times 9 = 540$ cubic yards

Step2: Find dimensions of empty space

Width of empty space: $15 - 3 - 3 = 9$ yd
Height of empty space: $6$ yd
Depth of empty space: $4$ yd

Step3: Calculate volume of empty space

$V_{empty} = 9 \times 4 \times 6 = 216$ cubic yards

Step4: Subtract empty from full volume

$V_{figure} = V_{full} - V_{empty}$
$V_{figure} = 540 - 216$

Answer:

324 cubic yards