What are Cubic Feet? Explained with Applications and Calculations

One of the most important areas of mathematics is dealing with shapes. In addition to being crucial to the construction process, the shape helps us choose which materials to use and what designs to develop. Nowadays cubic feet are a very helpful technique for calculating capacities, dimensions, and areas of different shapes.

When the dimensions of a triangular object are multiplied, a specific volume is said to be “cubic.” A simple formula for calculating an object’s volume is to multiply its length, breadth, and height. Instead of multiplying by one more time to obtain the height, multiply the length by the width first.

A cubic tank, cylinder, or pyramid are examples of three-dimensional objects whose volume may be calculated using cubic feet. In this article, we will discuss the basic definition of cubic feet, techniques, and their application.

What are cubic feet?

The volume of three-dimensional geometries with three sides can be represented using a standard unit of measurement called cubic feet. The volume of three-dimensional geometries is commonly measured in cubic feet, a unit of measurement.

One method for evaluating volume is in cubic feet. Cubic feet is the common plural form. In the case of rivers and gases, a cubic foot is also used to measure the rate of flow when an object is progressing. A cubic foot is useful for measuring the volume of solids when we know their 3-D dimensions.

Cubic feet representation in mathematical form

The formula for cubic feet, which is a capacity that includes length, width, and height, is as follows:

Volume = Length (ft) x width (ft) x height (ft) = L × W × H = Cubic feet

The above formula demonstrates that to determine a cube’s 3-D capacity, you just multiply its three dimensions. The method described above can be modified to get the dimensions if the total number of cubic feet is known.

Length = L = Volume / width × height

Width = W = Volume / length × height

Height = H = Volume / length × width

Relationship between cubic feet and volume unit

Here are correlations between cubic feet and the most common volume units in various measuring systems.

• One cubic foot is equal to 1,728 cubic inches.
• One cubic foot equals to (28.3168) liters.
• One cubic foot is equivalent to almost seven US gallons (7.4805).
• One cubic meter is nearly equal to 35.315 cubic feet.

Real-life application of cubic feet

• Calculating Volume in Cubic Feet: To get an object’s volume in cubic feet, multiply the object’s length, height, and width in feet. For instance, if a room is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 6 feet high, then its volume in cubic feet will be: cubic feet = 8 ft x 5 ft x 6 ft cubic feet = 240 ft³
• The capacity of Appliances: The capacity of appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners is frequently expressed in cubic feet. For example, a freezer with a 15 cubic feet capacity may store 15 cubic feet of food, liquids, and fruit.
• Material Measurement: The volume of a box, space, or container can also be determined by its cubic feet. For instance, a cubic foot of water, weighs nearly 62.4 pounds. Similarly to this, the weight of a cubic foot of dirt, sand, or gravel can be determined based on its density.

How to calculate cubic feet?

The two steps for calculating cubic feet are as follows:

Step 1:

Convert the object’s length, width, and height into feet.

Converting measures into feet is necessary before adding them together to calculate cubic feet. This might help you make sure that all of your measurements are taken at the same scale, which is essential when figuring out cubic feet. Different measurement scales can result in computation problems.

In the actual world, this can imply that an item is too big for the location you intended it for. Measure the object in feet, or convert the present measurements to feet, to check that the scales are the same. A few examples of typical measures are:

• Inches
• Feet
• Yards
• Centimeters
• Meters

So, you can proceed in two steps if the measurements are already in feet. Calculations can be made more easily if the units are converted to feet if they are in another measurement. It’s important to keep in mind that yards, feet, and inches all fall under the umbrella of the U.S. standard system of measurements.

The metric system, in contrast, uses units of measurement like centimeters and meters. Here are a few conversions from various measurements:

• one inch = 0.083 feet
• one yard = 3 feet
• one centimeter = 0.032 feet
• one meter = 3.28 feet

Step 2:

Multiply the dimensions of length, width, and height together.

The following is the basic formula for calculating cubic feet:

Cubic feet = L x W x H

The above formula is used to show the volume in cubic feet. You may get the actual cubic footage of an object by multiplying its measurements, for instance, 4.50 feet long, 2.20 feet wide, and 1.25 feet high.

4.50 ft x 2.20 ft x 1.25 ft = 12.375 cubic feet.

Example 1:

Calculate the volume of a cuboid box in cubic feet length of the cuboid is 4 feet, the width is 6 feet, and the height is 3 feet.

Solution:

Step 1:

Then, measure the cuboid box.

L = Length of cuboid box = 4ft

W = Width of cuboid box = 6ft

H = Height of cuboid box = 3ft

Step 2:

To calculate volume, use the below cubic foot formula.

L x W x H = length x width x height = cubic feet

Step 3:

Apply the above formula to the length, width, and height of a cuboid box and multiply those values.

Cubic feet = L x W x H

Cubic feet = 4 ft x 6 ft x 3 ft

Cubic feet = (4 x 6 x 3) ft³

Cubic feet = 72 ft³

Example 2:

If a container has the following dimensions: 10 yards long, 8 yards wide, and 4 yards height, determine its volume.

Solution:

Step 1:

Multiply the measurements to determine the volume of a container in yards.

Volume of container = L x W x H

Volume of container = 10 x 8 x 4

Volume of container = 320 yd³

Step 2:

To convert a container’s volume from yards to cubic feet, multiply the yardage by 15.

Cubic feet = 320 x 15 ft³

Cubic feet = 4800 ft³

Frequently asked question

Question 1:

What are cubic feet in math?

Solution:

The amount of space that an object occupies is measured mathematically using cubic feet. This measurement is also referred to as capacity or volume. With relation to the length, width, and height of the object, cubic feet might be written as feet³ or x cubic feet.

Question 2:

How to calculate cubic feet?

Solution:

As an example, you would multiply the length, width, and height to determine the volume of a cube. This equation’s result will give you an object’s volume in total cubic feet (CFT).

Question 3:

What does 1 cu ft mean?

Solution:

The cubic feet (sign ft³ or cu ft) is a non-metric imperial and US customary unit of volume that is used in the US, UK, and other countries. The volume of a cube with sides that are one foot long (0.3048 m) is how it is described. Its volume is 28.3168 L, or about 1/35 cubic feet, of a cubic meter.

Final Words

Moreover, in this article, we have discussed the cubic feet, the relationship between cubic feet volume, techniques of cubic feet, Daily life applications, and how to calculate the cubic feet. Furthermore, discussed how to find cubic feet with the help of examples.