What is the formula for finding the volume of a pyramid?

The formula for calculating the volume of a pyramid is derived from the concept that the volume is one-third the product of the area of the base and the height of the pyramid. Specifically, this means that when you take the area of the base, which can be any polygon, and multiply it by the height (the perpendicular distance from the base to the apex), you then divide that product by three because a pyramid occupies one-third of the space of a prism with the same base and height.

This formula is particularly useful because it applies to pyramids with various base shapes, including triangles, squares, and rectangles. Understanding this relationship not only helps in practical applications such as geometry and architecture but also reinforces concepts in volume and spatial reasoning.

The other options, while they include relevant concepts such as base area and height, either do not incorporate the necessary division by three or make incorrect assumptions about how to calculate volume for three-dimensional shapes.