Reasoning and Problem Solving

Step 7: Volume – Counting Cubes

National Curriculum Objectives:

Mathematics Year 6: (6M8a) Calculate, estimate and compare volume of cubes and
cuboids using standard units, including cubic centimetres (cm3) and cubic metres (m3),
and extending to other units [for example, mm3 and km3]

Differentiation:
Questions 1, 4 and 7 (Reasoning)
Developing Explain whether a given statement is correct. Shapes are one row deep consisting of
single cubic units.
Expected Explain whether a given statement is correct. Shapes up to four rows deep, highest and
widest rows at the back of the shape, consisting of single cubic units.
Greater Depth Explain whether a given statement is correct. Shapes are up to four rows deep with
the highest and widest rows varying in placement. Shapes may also consist of cubic units 2cm 3,
3cm3, or 5cm3.

Questions 2, 5 and 8 (Problem Solving)

Developing Given a limited number of cubes, decide which 3D shape could be created. Shapes
are one row deep consisting of single cubic units.
Expected Given a limited number of cubes, decide which combination of 3D shapes could be
created. Shapes up to four rows deep, highest and widest rows at the back of the shape, consisting
of single cubic units.
Greater Depth Given a limited volume, decide which combination of 3D shapes could be created.
Shapes are up to five rows deep with the highest and widest rows varying in placement. Shapes
may also consist of cubic units 2cm3, 3cm3, or 5cm3.

Questions 3, 6 and 9 (Reasoning)

Developing Explain why a shape is the odd one out. Shapes are one row deep.
Expected Explain why a shape is the odd one out. Shapes are up to four rows deep with the
highest and widest rows at the back of the shape.
Greater Depth Explain why a shape is the odd one out. Shapes are up to five rows deep with the
highest and widest rows varying in placement.

More Year 6 Perimeter, Area and Volume resources.

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Volume Counting Cubes – Teaching Information
 Volume – Counting Cubes Volume – Counting Cubes
1a. Henry is building some shapes. He 1b. Jess is building some shapes. She
thinks that Shape B has the greatest thinks that Shape A has a volume of 1cm3
volume. more than Shape B.

A. B. A. B.

Is he correct? Explain your answer. Is she correct? Explain your answer.

D D
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R

2a. Harriet has 7 cubes in total. 2b. Shaun has 8 cubes.

Which of the shapes below could she Which of the shapes below could he
create? create?

A. B. A. B.

D
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. PS D
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. PS

3a. Find the odd one out. 3b. Find the odd one out.

A. B. C. A. B. C.

Explain your answer. Explain your answer.

D D
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Volume Counting Cubes – Year 6 Developing
 Volume – Counting Cubes Volume – Counting Cubes
4a. Kian is building some shapes. He 4b. Ana is building some shapes. She
thinks that all of the shapes below have thinks that Shape B and C have the same
the same volume. volume.

A. B. C. A. B. C.

Is he correct? Explain your answer. Is she correct? Explain your answer.

E E
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R

5a. Tilly has 24 cubes. 5b. Jon has 41 cubes.

Which combinations from the shapes Which combinations from the shapes
below could she create if she used all her below could he create if he used all his
cubes? cubes?
A. B. C. A. B. C.

E
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. PS E
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. PS

6a. Find the odd one out. 6b. Find the odd one out.

A. B. C. A. B. C.

Explain your answer. Explain your answer.

E E
Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R Each cube has a volume of 1cm3. R

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Volume Counting Cubes – Year 6 Expected
 Volume – Counting Cubes Volume – Counting Cubes
7a. Orla is building some shapes. She 7b. Dylan is building some shapes. He
thinks that all of the shapes below have a thinks that all of the shapes below have a
volume < 100cm3. volume that are multiples of 5.

A. B. C. A. B. C.

Is she correct? Explain your answer. Is he correct? Explain your answer.

GD GD
Each cube has a volume of 3cm3. R Each cube has a volume of 5cm3. R

8a. Charlotte has cubes with a total 8b. Shelly has cubes with a total volume <
volume < 100cm3. 200cm3.

Which combinations from the shapes Which combinations from the shapes
below could she create? below could she create?
A. B. A. B.

C. D. C. D.

GD
Each cube has a volume of 2cm3. PS GD
Each cube has a volume of 5cm3. PS

9a. Find the odd one out. 9b. Find the odd one out.

A. B. A. B.

C. D. C. D.

Explain your answer. Explain your answer.

GD GD
Each cube has a volume of 3cm3. R Each cube has a volume of 2cm3. R

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Volume Counting Cubes – Year 6 Greater Depth
 Reasoning and Problem Solving
Volume – Counting Cubes
Developing
1a. Henry is incorrect; both shapes have a
volume of 7cm3, so Shape B doesn’t have
the greatest volume.
2a. B.
3a. B is the odd one out; it has a volume of
8cm3. A and C both have a volume of
9cm3.
Expected
4a. Kian is incorrect; although Shape A
and B both have a volume of 12cm3,
Shape C has a volume of 11cm3, so they
do not all have the same volume.
5a. A = 7cm3, B = 17cm3, C = 7cm3. Tilly
can create the following combinations: A
+ B or A + C.
6a. B is the odd one out; it has a volume of
19cm3. A and C both have a volume of
21cm3.
Greater Depth
7a. Orla is incorrect; although Shape B
and C both have a volume < 100cm3
(Shape B = 72cm3, Shape C = 48cm3),
Shape C has a volume of 102cm3, so they
do not all have the volume < 100cm3.
8a. A = 46cm3, B = 42cm3, C = 58cm3, D =
36cm3. Charlotte can create the following
combinations: A + B; A + D; B + D; C + D.
9a. C is the odd one out; it has a volume
of 60cm3. A, B and D all have a volume of
69cm3.
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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Volume Counting Cubes ANSWERS
Reasoning and Problem Solving
Volume – Counting Cubes
Developing
1b. Jess is incorrect; Shape A has a
volume of 8cm3, and Shape B has a
volume of 9cm3. Shape A has a volume of
1cm3 less than Shape B, not 1cm3 more
than it.
2b. B.
3b. B is the odd one out; it has a volume of
9cm3. A and C both have a volume of
8cm3.
Expected
4b. Ana is correct; both Shape B and
Shape C have a volume of 19cm3.
5b. A = 20cm3, B = 20cm3, C = 21cm3. Jon
can create the following combinations: A
+ C or B + C.
6b. A is the odd one out; it has a volume
of 14cm3. B and C both have a volume of
15cm3.
Greater Depth
7b. Dylan is correct; no matter how many
cubes are used for each shape, the
volume of each shape will always be a
multiple of 5, because each cube
represents a volume of 5cm3.
8b. A = 125cm3, B = 90cm3, C = 110cm3, D
= 70cm3. Shelly can create the following
combinations: A + D; B + D, C + D.
9b. D is the odd one out; it has a volume of
52cm3. A, B and C all have a volume of
56cm3.