Carrie buys a can of paint from the local hardware store. The radius of the paint can is 4 inches and it is 11 inches tall. If the paint can is only one-half full, what is the volume of paint inside it?
V = π × r² × h
Use 3.14 for π.

Step 1: Interpret the Problem
First, we must understand what is happening in this situation. We need to find how much paint is in the paint can. To do this, we find the total volume of the paint can, and then we divide it by 2.
Step 2: Substitute the Numbers Into the Equation
In this case, we got the formula for the volume from the problem.
Volume = π × r² × h
The problem has also given us the radius, the height, and the value to use for π which we can substitute in as shown below.
3.14 × (4 in)² × 11 in
Step 3: Solve Using the Order of Operations
Now we can solve for the volume given the formula.
3.14 × (4 in)² × 11 in
Using the order of operations, we must square the 4 first. Remember (4 in)² really means
4 in × 4 in = 16 in²
Now we can just multiply all three numbers together.
3.14 × 16 in²× 11 in = 552.64 in³
Remember, our units are inches cubed (in³) since there were three dimensions involved.
Step 4: Divide the Volume by 2 to Find the Amount of Paint
To find how much paint is in the paint can, we divide its volume by 2.
552.64 in3 ÷ 2 = 276.32 in³
The volume of paint inside the can when it is one-half full is 276.32 in³.