Area vs Volume: Difference and Comparison

Area refers to the measure of the two-dimensional space covered by a surface, while volume pertains to the measure of the three-dimensional space occupied by a solid object.

Key Takeaways

1. The area measures the extent of a two-dimensional surface, such as the size of a piece of land or the surface of an object.
2. Volume quantifies the amount of space a three-dimensional object occupies, like the capacity of a container or the size of a solid figure.
3. Understanding the distinction between area and volume is essential in various fields, including geometry, engineering, and real estate.

Area vs Volume

The Area refers to the region covered by the object, while volume refers to the quantity or capacity of the object. An area is two-dimensional object and covers the outer space, Volume is a three-dimensional object and covers the inner capacity. The Area is a plain figure; Volume is a solid figure.

The total space that objects occupy when placed on a plane or flat surface is known as the area of the object. Similarly, there are also some objects that have their own capacity.

For example, a water tank has its own capacity to hold a certain amount of water inside.

This capacity is the volume of the water tank. You must note that only hollow objects have volumes that can be measured with relevant formulae.

The table and forthcoming information on the two terms should illuminate the topic and help you understand the basic differences between an area and the volume of an object.

Comparison Table

Feature	Area	Volume
Dimensionality	Two-dimensional (2D)	Three-dimensional (3D)
Unit of measurement	Square units (e.g., square meters, square feet)	Cubic units (e.g., cubic meters, cubic feet)
Measurement concept	Extent of a flat surface	Space occupied by a solid object
Calculation formula	Area = Length x Breadth	Volume = Length x Breadth x Height
Examples	Surface area of a rectangle, square, circle	Volume of a box, cube, sphere, cylinder
Applications	Calculating paint needed to cover a wall, floor area, land measurement	Calculating the amount of liquid a container can hold, displacement of objects in fluids

What is Area?

Area is a fundamental mathematical concept used to measure the extent of a flat surface. It represents the amount of space occupied by a two-dimensional (2D) shape and is a crucial aspect of geometry, spatial reasoning, and various practical applications.

Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:

Definition:

• Area quantifies the size of a flat surface.
• It represents the amount of space enclosed within the boundaries of a 2D shape.

Units of Measurement:

• Area is measured in square units, such as square meters (m^2), square feet (ft^2), square centimeters (cm^2), etc.
• The chosen unit depends on the context and desired level of precision.

Calculation Formulas:

• The formula for calculating area varies depending on the shape.
• For common shapes like rectangles, squares, circles, and triangles, specific formulas exist to calculate their area based on their dimensions (length, breadth, radius, etc.).
• Integration or other advanced mathematical techniques might be employed for more complex shapes.

Examples:

• Calculating the area of a room to determine the amount of carpet needed.
• Measuring the surface area of a painting to estimate the amount of paint required.
• Determining the land area of a property for land use planning.

Applications:

• Area plays a crucial role in various fields, including:
  • Engineering: Calculating the surface area of materials for construction, design, and analysis.
  • Architecture: Designing buildings and spaces with efficient utilization of space.
  • Agriculture: Determining land area for crop planting and resource management.
  • Mathematics: Area is a fundamental concept used in geometric calculations and proofs.
  • Everyday life: Measuring floor area for furniture placement, calculating paint or wallpaper needed for home renovations, etc.

What is Volume?

Volume, a fundamental mathematical concept, measures the space occupied by a three-dimensional (3D) object. It quantifies the “amount” of space enclosed within the object’s boundaries and is crucial in various fields like physics, engineering, and everyday life.

Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:

Definition:

• Volume represents the total space enclosed within the boundaries of a 3D object.
• It signifies the amount of space the object takes up, unlike area, which deals with flat surfaces.

Units of Measurement:

• Volume is measured in cubic units, such as cubic meters (m^3), cubic feet (ft^3), cubic centimeters (cm^3), etc.
• Choosing the appropriate unit depends on the object’s size and the desired precision level.

Calculation Formulas:

• Similar to area, volume formulas vary depending on the shape of the 3D object.
• For common shapes like cubes, cuboids, spheres, cylinders, cones, etc., specific formulas exist to calculate their volume based on their dimensions (length, breadth, height, radius, etc.).
• For complex shapes, integration or other advanced mathematical techniques might be employed.

Examples:

• Calculate a container’s volume to determine the amount of liquid it can hold.
• Measuring the displacement of an object in fluids to analyze its density.
• Determining the volume of excavated soil for earthworks and construction projects.

Applications:

• Volume has diverse applications across various fields, including:
  • Physics: Studying fluid dynamics, buoyancy, and other volume displacement phenomena.
  • Engineering: Designing structures, containers, and objects with specific volume requirements.
  • Manufacturing: Determining the amount of material needed for production and packaging.
  • Chemistry: Calculating the molar volume of gases and analyzing the concentration of solutions.
  • Everyday life: Measuring the volume of ingredients in recipes, determining the size of furniture for a room, etc.

Main Differences Between Area and Volume

1. Dimensionality:
   • Area: Area is a two-dimensional measurement, representing the amount of space enclosed within a flat, two-dimensional shape (such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle).
   • Volume: Volume is a three-dimensional measurement, representing the amount of space enclosed within a three-dimensional object (such as a cube, sphere, or cylinder).
2. Measurement Units:
   • Area: Area is measured in square units, such as square meters (m²) or square feet (ft²).
   • Volume: Volume is measured in cubic units, such as cubic meters (m³) or cubic feet (ft³).
3. Formulae:
   • Area: The formula for calculating area depends on the shape of the object. For example, the area of a rectangle is calculated as length × width, while the area of a circle is calculated as π × radius².
   • Volume: The formula for calculating volume also depends on the shape of the object. For instance, the volume of a cube is calculated as edge length³, and the volume of a cylinder is calculated as π × radius² × height.
4. Example Use Cases:
   • Area: Area is commonly used to measure the surface area of objects, such as the floor space of a room, the area of a piece of land, or the surface area of a building’s walls.
   • Volume: Volume is used to measure the capacity of three-dimensional objects, such as the volume of a container, the amount of liquid in a tank, or the interior space of a room.
5. Representation:
   • Area: Area is represented as a flat, two-dimensional shape on a plane, and it is shaded or outlined to depict the enclosed space visually.
   • Volume: Volume is represented as a three-dimensional space within a solid object, and it can be visualized as the space occupied by the object’s interior.

Last Updated : 11 December, 2023