Mathematical Tasks
Finding the Volume- 6.EE.4
Domain
Cluster
Standard(s)
Materials
Task
Expressions and Equations
Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational
numbers.
6.EE.4 Identify when two expressions are equivalent (i.e., when the two expressions name
the same number regardless of which value is substituted into them). For example, the
expressions y + y + y and 3y are equivalent because they name the same number
regardless of which number y stands for.
6.EE.3 Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. For
example, apply the distributive property to the expression 3 (2 + x) to produce the
equivalent expression 6 + 3x; apply the distributive property to the expression 24x + 18y
to produce the equivalent expression 6 (4x + 3y); apply properties of operations to y + y +
y to produce the equivalent expression 3y.
Activity sheet
Finding the Volume
The students in Mrs. Truesdale’s class are exploring how to write the formula for the
volume of a rectangular prism.
Part 1:
For each proposed formula, test the formula with two different examples to see if each
formula is correct.





Mary: l x w + h
Tryone: h x l x w
Bernie: l +w+ h
Lauren: (lxw)x h
Sonya: h x w x l
Part 2:
If two of the three dimensions of a rectangular prism were quadrupled, what formula in
terms of l,w, and h could represent the volume of the new rectangular prism?
Part 3:
Write an explanation about how you solved Part 2.
Mathematical Tasks
Sixth Grade
Mathematical Tasks
Rubric
Level I
Developing
Proficiency
 Student uses
inappropriate
solution strategy
and does not get
the correct
answer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Level II
Not Yet
Proficient
 There are one
or two errors.
Level III
Proficient in Performance
 Accurately solves problem.
 Part 1: Mary- not correct; Tyrone- correct; Bernie- not
correct; Lauren- correct; Sonya- correct
 Part 2: Possible equations: 4w x 4l x h; 4w x 4h x l; 16 (w x h
x l)
 Part 3: The explanation is clear and accurate.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
Makes sense and perseveres in solving problems.
Reasons abstractly and quantitatively.
Constructs viable arguments and critiques the reasoning of others.
Models with mathematics.
Uses appropriate tools strategically.
Attends to precision.
Looks for and makes use of structure.
Looks for and expresses regularity in repeated reasoning.
Mathematical Tasks
Sixth Grade
Mathematical Tasks
Finding the Volume
The students in Mrs. Truesdale’s class are exploring how to write the formula for the volume of a rectangular
prism.
Part 1:
For each proposed formula, test the formula with two different examples to see if each formula is correct.

Mary: l x w + h

Tryone: h x l x w

Bernie: l +w+ h

Lauren: (lxw)x h

Sonya: h x w x l
Part 2:
If two of the three dimensions of a rectangular prism were quadrupled, what formula in terms of l,w, and h
could represent the volume of the new rectangular prism?
Part 3:
Write an explanation about how you solved Part 2.
Mathematical Tasks
Sixth Grade