HSC Standard Math Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

The volume formula for a pyramid is given by V = 1/3 Bh, where V represents the volume, B is the area of the base of the pyramid, and h is the height from the base to the apex (top point) of the pyramid.

This formula indicates that the volume of a pyramid is one-third the product of the area of its base and its height. This relationship stems from the geometric properties of pyramids compared to prisms. Specifically, a pyramid can be thought of as a prism with an infinite number of infinitely small triangular prisms forming its volume, leading to the one-third factor to account for the reduction in volume compared to the base area multiplied by height, as in a prism.

Considering the other options, the variations that suggest V = Bh/3 and V = B/h do not accurately represent the fundamental relationship in calculating a pyramid's volume. While V = B × h suggests a multiplication of area and height, it does not incorporate the necessary division by three, which is crucial in distinguishing the volume of a pyramid from that of a rectangular prism.