How do you calculate the volume of a rectangular prism?

To calculate the volume of a rectangular prism, the correct method is to multiply the dimensions of the prism together: length, width, and height. This is because volume measures the amount of space a three-dimensional object occupies, and for a rectangular prism, each dimension contributes to the overall space.

Specifically, when you multiply length by width, you obtain the area of the base. Then, by multiplying that area by the height, you extend that base area vertically to fill the entire prism. This multiplication reflects the three-dimensional nature of volume, ensuring that all spatial dimensions are accounted for.

This approach effectively calculates how many cubic units can fit within the prism, which is the definition of volume.