Concept: The volume of a right circular cone is given by the formula \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi R^2 H\), where \(R\) is the radius of the base of the cone and \(H\) is the height of the cone.
Step 1: Identify the given dimensions of the cone
Let the radius of the base of this specific cone be \(R_{\text{cone}}\) and its height be \(H_{\text{cone}}\).
Radius of the base, \(R_{\text{cone}} = 3r\).
Height of the cone, \(H_{\text{cone}}\), is "equal to the radius of the base." This means \(H_{\text{cone}} = R_{\text{cone}} = 3r\).
Step 2: Substitute these dimensions into the volume formula
The volume formula for a cone is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi R_{\text{cone}}^2 H_{\text{cone}}\).
Substitute \(R_{\text{cone}} = 3r\) and \(H_{\text{cone}} = 3r\):
\[ V = \frac{1}{3}\pi (3r)^2 (3r) \]
Step 3: Simplify the expression
First, calculate \((3r)^2\):
\[ (3r)^2 = 3^2 \times r^2 = 9r^2 \]
Now substitute this back into the volume equation:
\[ V = \frac{1}{3}\pi (9r^2) (3r) \]
Multiply the terms:
\[ V = \frac{1}{3}\pi (9 \times 3 \times r^2 \times r) \]
\[ V = \frac{1}{3}\pi (27r^3) \]
Now, multiply by \(\frac{1}{3}\):
\[ V = \frac{27}{3}\pi r^3 \]
\[ V = 9\pi r^3 \]
The volume of the cone is \(9\pi r^3\).