# Lesson 15

The Volume of a Cone

### Lesson Narrative

In this lesson students start working with cones, and learn that the volume of a cone is $$\frac13$$ the volume of a cylinder with a congruent base and the same height. First, students learn a method for quickly sketching a cone, and the meaning of the radius and height of a cone. Then they watch a video (or if possible, a live demonstration) showing that it takes three cones of water to fill a cylinder with the same radius and height. At this point, it is taken as a mysterious and beautiful fact that the volume of a cone is one third the volume of the associated cylinder. A proof of this fact requires mathematics beyond grade level.

Students write the volume of a cone given a specific volume of a cylinder with the same base and height, and vice versa. Then they use the formula for the volume of a cylinder learned in previous lessons to write the general formula $$V= \frac13\pi r^2 h$$ for the volume, $$V$$, of a cone in terms of its height, $$h$$, and radius, $$r$$. Finally, students practice computing the volumes of some cones. There are opportunities for further practice in the next lesson.

### Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

• Calculate the volume of a cone and cylinder given the height and radius, and explain (orally) the solution method.
• Compare the volumes of a cone and a cylinder with the same base and height, and explain (orally and in writing) the relationship between the volumes.

### Student Facing

Let’s explore cones and their volumes.

### Required Preparation

For the Which Has a Larger Volume activity, it is suggested that students have access to geometric solids.

During the From Cylinders to Cones activity, students will need to view a video. Alternatively, do a demonstration with a cone that could be filled with water and poured into a cylinder.

### Student Facing

• I can find the volume of a cone in mathematical and real-world situations.
• I know the formula for the volume of a cone.

### Glossary Entries

• cone

A cone is a three-dimensional figure like a pyramid, but the base is a circle.

• cylinder

A cylinder is a three-dimensional figure like a prism, but with bases that are circles.

• sphere

A sphere is a three-dimensional figure in which all cross-sections in every direction are circles.