Swim Practice: Laps, Sets, and Foam Blocks

Find rectangular-prism volumes using cube packing and volume formulas.

Build a Volume Model

The swim team uses rectangular foam blocks during practice. Each model shows a complete solid prism with no gaps. Use the stated edge length of each small cube.

This foam block is packed with small cubes. Each small cube has an edge length of 1/2 ft.

What is the volume of ONE small cube? ft³

A different block has 4 small cubes along its length, 3 along its width, and 4 along its height. Each small cube has an edge length of 1/2 ft.

Find the volume of the entire block. ft³

A small practice block measures 1 1/4 ft by 3/4 ft by 1/2 ft. It is packed with cubes whose edges are 1/4 ft long. Which calculation gives its volume in cubic feet?

A. (5 × 3 × 2) × 1/64B. (5 × 3 × 2) × 1/4C. (5 + 3 + 2) × 1/64D. (5 × 3 × 2) × 1/16

Nia packs a 2 ft by 1 ft by 1/2 ft block with 8 cubes, each with an edge length of 1/2 ft. She says the block's volume is 8 ft³ because she counted 8 cubes. Explain her mistake and find the correct volume.

Measure the Practice Blocks

Use V = lwh or V = Bh. In V = Bh, B is the area of a base and h is the perpendicular height. All blocks are solid rectangular prisms.

For a 20-minute technique session, the coach selects a block measuring 1 1/2 ft long, 2/3 ft wide, and 5/6 ft high.

What is the block's volume? ft³

A block used between lap sets has a base area of 5/6 ft² and a perpendicular height of 3/5 ft. What is its volume?

A. 1/2 ft³B. 25/18 ft³C. 5/6 ft³D. 43/30 ft³

The team records the dimensions of a block used during a kick drill.

Kick-Drill Block
Length (ft)	Width (ft)	Height (ft)
2 1/4	1 1/3	2/3

Find the base area using length × width: ft². Then find the volume: ft³.

A practice block measures 3/4 ft by 1/2 ft by 1/3 ft. Which expression correctly uses V = Bh, with a base area measured in square feet?

A. V = (3/4 × 1/2) + 1/3B. V = (3/4 × 1/2) × 1/3C. V = (3/4 × 1/2) ÷ 1/3D. V = (3/4 + 1/2) × 1/3

Two blocks are used in the same lap drill. The tall block has base area 3/4 ft² and height 2/3 ft. The low block has base area 1 1/2 ft² and height 1/4 ft.

How much greater is the tall block's volume than the low block's volume? ft³

Plan the Lap Sessions

Apply volume to each practice plan. Show calculations on separate paper if needed.

10.

During a 24-minute practice, the team completes three 8-minute sets. A swimmer moves one foam block to the finished-set pile after each set. Each block measures 3/4 ft by 2/3 ft by 1/2 ft.

What is the total volume of the three blocks in the finished-set pile? ft³

11.

The team needs two identical solid blocks for a timed lap drill. Each block measures 1 1/2 ft by 3/4 ft by 2/3 ft. The equipment manager has 1 1/4 ft³ of foam. Ignore cutting waste. Which statement is correct?

A. There is enough foam, with 1/4 ft³ left.B. There is enough foam, with 1/2 ft³ left.C. There is not enough foam; 1/4 ft³ more is needed.D. There is not enough foam; 1/2 ft³ more is needed.

12.

Sam plans to swim 16 laps in sets of 4 laps. One foam block represents each completed set. Each block has a base area of 5/8 ft² and a height of 2/5 ft.

What is the total volume of the blocks representing all of Sam's completed sets? ft³

13.

For the next practice, the team changes a block from 1 1/4 ft long, 4/5 ft wide, and 1/2 ft high to 1 1/4 ft long, 2/5 ft wide, and 1 ft high. How does its volume change?

A. The volume doubles to 1 ft³.B. The volume increases to 3/4 ft³.C. The volume halves to 1/4 ft³.D. The volume stays at 1/2 ft³.