Volume & Surface Area Of Regular Objects
In this lesson, we will first learn how to identify the cross-sectional area of regular objects by examining cylinders and prisms. Using the cross-sectional area, students will then learn how to derive the volume and surface area of regular objects using a general formula, instead of memorising separate formulas for every shape.
Related Lessons:
How To Identify Base Area
Identifying the base area reduces the need to memorise many formulas and builds stronger conceptual understanding.
To determine the base area, when the object is sliced into multiple pieces, and every piece is identical with the same area, that area is the base area, also known as the cross-sectional area.
General Volume Formula
The general volume formula is:
Volume = Base Area × Height
Where the height is always perpendicular to the base area.
For example, if we have a cylinder radius (r) and height (h):
Volume of cylinder = \(𝜋𝑟^2×ℎ\)
For a prism with triangle base (b), height (h), and length (L):
Volume of prism = \(\frac{1}{2} 𝑏ℎ×𝐿\)
General Total Surface Area Formula
Similarly, we can also make use of the base area to find the total surface area of the sides of a regular object. The formula is perimeter of the base area, multiply by the height.
For a cylinder,
total curve S.A. = \(2𝜋𝑟×ℎ\)
For prism with triangle with length of side a, b and c:
total curve S.A. = \((𝑎+𝑏+𝑐)×𝐿\)
Example 1
- The area of the cross section ADECB
- The volume of the container
- The surface area BCEFGH
Example 2
- Calculate the volume of iron needed to make the cylinder. (Take \(π=3.14\)).
- Ten such cylinders are melted to make cubes whose side is 3mm each. What is the maximum number of cubes that can be made from the cylinders?