In the pyramid volume formula V = (1/3) B h, what does B stand for?

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Multiple Choice

In the pyramid volume formula V = (1/3) B h, what does B stand for?

Explanation:
B stands for the area of the base. In the pyramid volume formula V = (1/3) B h, B is the area of the shape at the bottom, and h is the height—the perpendicular distance from that base to the apex. The volume depends on how much base area there is and how tall the pyramid is, but because the shape tapers to a point, the factor is 1/3 rather than 1. For a square base with side length s, the base area is s^2, giving V = (1/3) s^2 h. If the base is circular, the base area is πr^2, and V = (1/3) πr^2 h, matching the cone case.

B stands for the area of the base. In the pyramid volume formula V = (1/3) B h, B is the area of the shape at the bottom, and h is the height—the perpendicular distance from that base to the apex. The volume depends on how much base area there is and how tall the pyramid is, but because the shape tapers to a point, the factor is 1/3 rather than 1. For a square base with side length s, the base area is s^2, giving V = (1/3) s^2 h. If the base is circular, the base area is πr^2, and V = (1/3) πr^2 h, matching the cone case.

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