1. **State the problem:** Find the volume of a right circular cylinder with diameter 8 cm and height 18 cm. 2. **Formula:** The volume $V$ of a cylinder is given by $$V = \pi r^2 h$$ where $r$ is the radius and $h$ is the height. 3. **Find the radius:** The diameter is 8 cm, so the radius is half of that: $$r = \frac{8}{2} = 4 \text{ cm}$$ 4. **Substitute values into the formula:** $$V = \pi \times 4^2 \times 18$$ 5. **Calculate the square of the radius:** $$4^2 = 16$$ 6. **Calculate the volume:** $$V = \pi \times 16 \times 18 = 288\pi$$ 7. **Final answer:** The volume of the cylinder is $$288\pi \text{ cm}^3$$.