1. What is a Regular Prism?

A regular prism is a three-dimensional shape with two identical regular polygonal bases connected by rectangular faces. The volume of a prism is calculated by multiplying the area of its base by its height.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the prism volume formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Volume of the prism
• \( \text{Base Area} \) — Area of the regular polygonal base
• \( \text{Height} \) — Height of the prism (distance between bases)

Explanation: The formula works for any regular prism, regardless of the number of sides in the base polygon, as long as the base area is known.

3. Importance of Volume Calculation

Details: Calculating prism volume is essential in geometry, architecture, engineering, and various practical applications like determining container capacities or material quantities.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the base area in square units and height in linear units. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the volume in cubic units.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between a prism and a pyramid?
A: A prism has two identical parallel bases connected by rectangular faces, while a pyramid has one base and triangular faces that meet at a common vertex.

Q2: Does this work for irregular prisms?
A: No, this calculator assumes the base is a regular polygon. For irregular prisms, more complex calculations are needed.

Q3: How do I find the base area for common regular polygons?
A: For equilateral triangle: (√3/4)×side²; square: side²; regular pentagon: (1/4)×√(5(5+2√5))×side²; etc.

Q4: Can I use different units for base area and height?
A: No, the units must be compatible (e.g., if base area is in cm², height should be in cm).

Q5: What if my prism is oblique?
A: The same formula applies for oblique prisms, but height must be measured perpendicular to the base planes.