Geometry
Mixing Up Square Units and Cubic Units
Labelling an area in cubic units or a volume in square units.
Quick check
Why students make it
Both are written with a small raised number, so the exponent is treated as a detail rather than a count of dimensions.
The rule done right
Area covers two dimensions, so it uses square units like . Volume fills three dimensions, so it uses cubic units like .
Related resources
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Geometry: Units of Area and Volume Infographic -
Geometry: Area of a Rectangle and Square Infographic -
Geometry: Volume of a Rectangular Prism Infographic -
Math: Area and Perimeter Basics Infographic -
Geometry: Estimating Area and Volume Infographic - Area, Surface Area & Volume Cheat Sheet
- 3D Shapes & Nets Cheat Sheet
- Surface Area & Volume Formulas Cheat Sheet
- 3D Solids & Volume Reference Cheat Sheet
- Area & Perimeter Reference Cheat Sheet
- Area: Counting Square Units Worksheet
- Volume: Counting Cubic Units Worksheet
- Math: Area and Perimeter Worksheet
- Introduction to Area: Tiling Shapes Worksheet
- Math: Volume and Surface Area Worksheet
- Volume with Unit Cubes Tool
- Area & Perimeter Explorer Tool
- 3D Shape Calculator Tool
- Exponent & Powers Explorer Tool
- Area Tiles & Perimeter Paths Tool
- Volume City Builder Lab Lab
- Garden Area & Perimeter Lab Lab
- Area & Perimeter Design Challenge Lab
- 3D Nets & Shape Folding Lab Lab