Cube in a Cube Project

RaeLynne Carra
Acre
GAT/IDS 9C
12 January 2016

How to Find Surface Area and Volume of a Cube in a Cube

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Finding the surface area and volume of a cube is not actually as difficult as it sounds. It is
quite simple, but time consuming. The following are the steps of how to put together, and find
the surface area and volume of a cube inside a cube.

Figure 1. Step 1
Fold together twelve pieces of origami paper as directed.

Figure 2. Step 2
Take two of the pieces and insert one end into the flap on the other one.

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Figure 3. Step 3
Add another piece and repeat previous step.

Figure 4. Step 4
Add another and place it in between the two pieces of paper on the end and follow
previous step.

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Figure 5. Step 5
Continue adding the pieces on until all twelve pieces are assembled into the outer cube.

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Figure 6. Completed Cube in a Cube

This is the completed result with the inner cube.
Finding the Surface Area and Volume of Cube in a Cube
Surface Area (SA)=(6) (Side)
SA=(6)(32)
SA=108 in

Formula to Find the Surface Area of a Cube

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

Figure 7. Surface Area of the Cube without Subtracting the Space

The above figure shows how to find the surface area of the cube before subtracting the
space.
Surface Area (SA)=(6) (Side)
SA=(6) (1.52)
SA=27 in

Formula to Find the Surface Area of a Cube

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

Figure 8. Surface Area of Hole in the Outer Cube

The figure above shows how to find the surface area of the blank space, or hole, in the
outer cube.
SAOuter Cube-SAEmpty Space=SACube
SA=(108)-(27)
SA=81 in

Formula to Find SA without Empty Space

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

Figure 9. Final Surface Area of the Outer Cube

The figure above shows how to find the final surface area of the outer cube.

Surface Area (SA)=(6) (Side)

SA=(6)(1.52)
SA=27 in

Formula to Find the Surface Area of a Cube

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

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Figure 10. Surface Area of the Inside Cube

The figure above shows how to find the surface area of the inside cube.
Total Surface Area (TSA)=SAinside cube+SAoutside cube
TSA=(27)+(81)
TSA=108 in

Total Surface Area Formula

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

Figure 11. Total Surface Area of Cube inside a Cube

The figure above shows how to find the total surface area of Cube inside a Cube.
To find the total surface area of the cube inside a cube, it is very important to follow each
and every step thoroughly to come up with the correct answer. First, find the surface area of the
outer cube without subtracting the empty space, as shown in Figure 7. Second, find the surface
area of the empty space, as shown in Figure 8. Third, subtract the surface area of the empty space
from the surface area of the outer cube, as shown in Figure 9. This will result in the surface area
of the outer cube. Next, find the surface area of the inside cube, as shown in Figure 10. Last, find
the total surface area of the cube inside a cube by adding the surface area of the inner cube with
the surface area of the outer cube, as shown in Figure 11. This will result in the total surface area
of 108 in.

Volume (V)=(Side)
V=(1.52)
V=6.752 in

Formula for Volume of a Cube

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

Figure 12. Volume of Inner cube

The figure above shows how to find the volume of the inside cube.
Volume (V)=(Side)
V=(32)
V=542 in

Formula for Volume of a Cube

Substitution Property of Equality
Simplify

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Figure 13. Volume of Outer Cube

The figure above shows how to find the volume of the outer cube.
Total Volume (TV)=VOuter Cube-VInner Cube
TV=(542)-(6.752)
TV=47.252 in

Total Volume Formula

Substitution
Simplify

Figure 14. Total Volume of the Empty Space

The figure above shows how to find the total volume of the empty space.
To find the volume of the empty space, it is rather simple. First, find the volume of the
inner cube, as shown in Figure 12. Next, find the volume of the outer cube, which is shown in
Figure 13. Last, subtract the volume of the inner cube from the volume of the outer cube, as
shown in Figure 14. This will result in the volume of the empty space, which is 47.252 in.
In conclusion, finding the surface area and volume of a cube inside a cube is not as
difficult as it looks. It is time consuming, but fairly simple. The total surface area of the cube
inside a cube is 108 in and the total volume of the empty space is 47.252 in.
Overall, all of the math looks scary, but its very easy. Math is everywhere, so being able how to
figure this out could be very helpful.