What is the formula used to calculate the area of a square pyramid?

The formula for calculating the volume of a square pyramid is derived from its geometric properties. A square pyramid consists of a square base and triangular faces that meet at a point (the apex). To find the volume, you multiply the area of the base by the height of the pyramid and then divide by three, which accounts for the three-dimensional shape tapering to a point at the top.

For a square pyramid, the area of the base (which is a square) is represented as ( a^2 ), where ( a ) is the length of a side of the base. The height of the pyramid, which is a perpendicular line from the base to the apex, is denoted as ( h ).

The final formula for the volume of the square pyramid is thus ( \frac{1}{3} \times \text{(Area of base)} \times h ), or specifically ( \frac{a^2 h}{3} ). This relationship clearly shows why the volume is one-third the product of the squared base area and the height. Therefore, the choice that represents this formula accurately is ( a^2 h/3 ).