How is the volume of a pyramid determined?

The correct approach to determining the volume of a pyramid involves understanding the relationship between its base area and height. The formula for the volume of a pyramid is expressed as V = (1/3)B•h, where V represents the volume, B is the area of the base, and h is the height of the pyramid.

This formula reflects a fundamental principle in geometry: the volume of a three-dimensional shape can often be related to the area of its base and its height. The factor of one-third is crucial, as it acknowledges that a pyramid occupies one-third of the space of a corresponding prism with the same base and height. Consequently, this formula indicates that for any pyramid, regardless of the shape of the base, the volume can always be calculated using the area of the base multiplied by the height and then divided by three.

Adding the areas of the faces is relevant in different contexts, like calculating surface area, but it does not pertain to finding volume. The formula V = B•h without the one-third factor would apply to a prism, not a pyramid. The other considerations included in alternative options do not accurately reflect the geometric principles governing the calculation of a pyramid's volume.