How do you find the volume of a compound solid with a rectangular base and cylindrical top?

To find the volume of a compound solid with a rectangular base and cylindrical top, add the volumes of both parts.

First, calculate the volume of the rectangular base. The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is \( \text{Volume} = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height} \). Measure the length, width, and height of the rectangular base, then multiply these three dimensions together to get the volume of the rectangular part.

Next, calculate the volume of the cylindrical top. The formula for the volume of a cylinder is \( \text{Volume} = \pi \times \text{radius}^2 \times \text{height} \). Measure the radius of the cylinder's base (which should be the same as the width of the rectangular base if the cylinder sits perfectly on top) and the height of the cylinder. Square the radius, multiply by \( \pi \) (approximately 3.14159), and then multiply by the height of the cylinder to find the volume of the cylindrical part.

Finally, add the volumes of the rectangular base and the cylindrical top together to get the total volume of the compound solid. This method ensures you account for both distinct shapes in the compound solid. Remember to keep your units consistent throughout the calculations to ensure accuracy.