You are choosing between two different cheese wedges at the grocery store. Assume both wedges are triangular prisms with bases that are isosceles triangles. The first wedge has a base that is 2.5 in. wide and a height of 4.5 in., with the entire wedge being 3 inthick. The second wedge has a base that is 3 in. wide and a height of 4 in., with the entire wedge being 3.5 in. thick. Which wedge has a greater volume of cheese, and by how much?

Question

You are choosing between two different cheese wedges at the grocery store. Assume both wedges are triangular prisms with bases that are isosceles triangles. The first wedge has a base that is 2.5 in. wide and a height of 4.5 in., with the entire wedge being 3 inthick. The second wedge has a base that is 3 in. wide and a height of 4 in., with the entire wedge being 3.5 in. thick. Which wedge has a greater volume of cheese, and by how much?
The first wedge by 6.375 cubic inches
The first wedge by 12.75 cubic inches
The second wedge by 8.25 cubic inches 
The second wedge by 4.125

Why · Accepted Answer

So what is the answer and why?

oobleck · Answer

I assume you can find the area of a triangle. That is the base area B. As with all prisms, V = Bh so plug in your numbers and compare.