When figuring out the volume of complex shapes made up of simpler ones, I usually do these steps:

1. Spot the Shapes: First, look at the complex shape and break it down into easier shapes like boxes, tubes, or balls.

2. Find the Volumes of Each Shape: Use these simple volume formulas to measure each part:

   • For a box (rectangular prism), the formula is $V = l \times w \times h$, where "l" is length, "w" is width, and "h" is height.
   • For a tube (cylinder), the formula is $V = \pi r^2 h$, where "r" is the radius (the distance from the center to the edge) and "h" is height.

3. Combine or Remove Volumes: Add the volumes together depending on how the shapes fit. If one shape is inside another (like a donut), subtract the volume of the inside shape.

It's really simple once you get used to it!