How do you calculate cubic yards of material?

To calculate cubic yards of material, it’s essential to first find the volume in cubic feet since the measurements of length, width, and thickness are often provided in feet. The cubic footage is obtained by multiplying the three dimensions: length, width, and thickness. However, since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (since 1 cubic yard equals 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet), you need to convert this volume from cubic feet to cubic yards.

Thus, after calculating the volume in cubic feet by using the formula length in feet multiplied by width in feet multiplied by thickness in feet, the next step is to divide that product by 27 to convert it into cubic yards. This approach allows for a consistent measurement in cubic yards, which is useful for various applications in excavating, grading, and surfacing.

The other choices either ignore the need to convert from cubic feet to cubic yards or use incorrect dimensions or units that may not lead to the correct calculation for cubic yards, making them unsuitable for accurate measurement.