ExamShortcut

Mensuration (3D)

🔒 Log in to track
medium importance~2 Q in Tier 121 formulas⚡ 15 shortcuts5 subtopics

Every formula in this topic, grouped by subtopic. Print it and pin it above your desk.

Cube and cuboid

Cuboid
V=lbh,\quad \text{LSA}=2h(l+b),\quad \text{TSA}=2(lb+bh+hl)

l, b, h are the three dimensions.

Cube
V=a^3,\quad \text{LSA}=4a^2,\quad \text{TSA}=6a^2

a = edge.

Diagonals
d=\sqrt{l^2+b^2+h^2},\quad d_{\text{cube}}=a\sqrt3

Corner to opposite corner.

Capacity
1\text{ m}^3=1000\text{ L},\quad 1\text{ L}=1000\text{ cm}^3

Convert once, at the end.

Painted cube counts
8,\ 12(n-2),\ 6(n-2)^2,\ (n-2)^3

3, 2, 1, 0 painted faces for n by n by n.

Cylinder

Cylinder
V=\pi r^2h,\quad \text{CSA}=2\pi rh,\quad \text{TSA}=2\pi r(h+r)

r = radius, h = height.

Missing height
h=\frac{V}{\pi r^2}

Reverse of the volume formula.

Capacity
\text{litres}=\text{m}^3\times1000

Same conversion as tanks.

Dimension change
V\propto r^2h,\quad \text{CSA}\propto rh

Scale each symbol by its own factor.

Cone

Slant height
\ell=\sqrt{r^2+h^2}

Radius, height, slant: a right triangle.

Cone volume
V=\frac{1}{3}\pi r^2h

One-third of the same-base cylinder.

Cone surfaces
\text{CSA}=\pi r\ell,\quad \text{TSA}=\pi r(\ell+r)

Skirt alone, or skirt plus base.

Same base ratios
V_{\text{cone}}=\frac{V_{\text{cyl}}}{3}

Equal base and height.

Sphere and hemisphere

Sphere
V=\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3,\quad S=4\pi r^2

One radius drives both.

Hemisphere
V=\frac{2}{3}\pi r^3,\quad \text{curved}=2\pi r^2,\quad \text{total}=3\pi r^2

Total adds the flat circle.

Melting into n parts
r_{\text{small}}^3=\frac{R^3}{n}

Divide the cubed length, then cube-root.

Radius scaling
V\to k^3V,\quad S\to k^2S

k = radius scale factor.

Prisms, pyramids and painted cubes

Prism
V=\text{base area}\times\text{length}

Base can be any polygon.

Pyramid
V=\frac{1}{3}\times\text{base area}\times h

h = perpendicular height.

Frustum
V=\frac{\pi h}{3}(R^2+r^2+Rr)

R, r = the two end radii.

Lateral surfaces
\text{prism}=P\times L,\quad \text{pyramid}=\frac12 P\times\ell

P = base perimeter; L = length; slant for pyramid.