Expert: Bobby Soltani - 3/22/2006

Question
Determine the number of square feetina square yard.  Determine the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard. Explain your answer using words, mathematical sentences, and diagrams.

Answer
Hi Megan,

To get square feet, you need to multiply the length of an area by the width of an area.  There are 3ft in 1 yard, so the length and width of a square yard are 3ft by 3ft.  The area is

3ft x 3ft = 9 square feet.

In a cubic yard, the number of cubic feet is the length times the width, times the height.

3ft x 3ft x 3ft = 27 cubic feet.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby