03

FSOLIMON – SOLID MENSURATION

FLEX Course Material

Use a variety of tools and
procedures in solving
problems involving
measurements, surface
area, volume, and
frustum of cones and
pyramids.
Reflect on how one’s
knowledge of solid
mensuration is used in
Pyramids and
the field of Architecture.
Apply the concepts of
solid mensuration in
Cones
solving problems.

Prepared by:

Mathematics and Science Faculty

College of Education, Arts and Sciences
 Table of Contents

Pre-Assessment: Crossword Puzzle pg. 3

Lesson 1 Pyramid: Surface Area and Volume pg. 4
Formative Assessment Task pg. 12
Lesson 2 Cone: Surface Area and Volume pg. 17
Formative Assessment Task pg. 20
Summary pg. 21
Key pg. 23
References pg. 24

2
 PRE-ASSESSMENT

Instructions: Complete the crossword puzzle below.

• The pre-assessment in not graded.

3
LESSON 1
Pyramid:
Surface Area
and Volume

VIA 57
West Apartments
New York
 Pyramid
The Pyramids of Giza
Egypt
Built: About 2600 B.C

Click here
There are so many stories, theories, and conspiracies
about the Pyramids. This wonder proves that the
Egyptians have high level of Mathematics in
Architecture and Engineering for a long long time.

Definition

A pyramid is a solid whose base is a plane

polygon and whose sides are triangles that
meet in a common vertex. The triangular sides
are called lateral faces. The common vertex is
also called the apex.
FUN FACT!
i.e. A pyramid is made by connecting a base to
Rediscover the 7 wonders of the
an apex. ancient world by clicking here or by
scanning the QR code below.

5
 The Louvre Museum
Paris

Right, Oblique, and Regular Pyramid

Definition
A regular pyramid is a pyramid whose base is a regular polygon and whose lateral edges
are all congruent. Otherwise, it is an irregular pyramid. Often, a regular pyramid is
implied to be a right pyramid.

6
 Parts of a Pyramid

Altitude (or height): The altitude of a pyramid is

the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the
base.

Definition
The slant height of a regular pyramid is the altitude from the apex of the pyramid to the
base of any of the congruent lateral faces of the regular pyramid.

Note: Among pyramids, only a regular pyramid has a slant

height.
In our formulas and explanations later, we will
use 𝒍 to represent the slant height of a regular pyramid.
In this video, you will see the
relationship of Mathematics
with these pyramids,
specifically the famous Great
Pyramid of Giza. Watch the
video till the end and get to
know these fantastic historical
structures in depth. Happy
Watching!!

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

Astana, Kazakhstan

7
 A pyramid is named according
to the shape of its base.

Scan the QR code on the right

to watch a video about the
types of pyramids. Click here

Types of Pyramid

Transamerica Pyramid
San Francisco

Image taken from: Volume of Pyramid – Formula, Derivation,

Definition, Examples. (n.d.). Cuemath.
https://www.cuemath.com/measurement/volume-of-pyramid/

8
 Luxor Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas

Do you still remember how to solve the lateral surface

area, total surface area, and volume of a pyramid?

Surface Area of a
Pyramid SURFACE AREA OF A PYRAMID
The lateral area 𝑳 of a regular pyramid with a slant
height of length 𝑙 and perimeter 𝑃 of the base is given
by
1
𝐿 = 𝑙𝑃.
2

Example 1:
Find the lateral area of the regular pentagonal
pyramid in the figure on the left if the sides of the
base measure 8 cm and the lateral edges measure 10
cm each.

SOLUTION: For the triangular lateral face, the slant

height bisects the base edge. Applying the
Pythagorean Theorem, we have
4! + 𝑙 ! = 10! , so 16 + 𝑙 ! = 100
𝑙 ! = 84, 𝑠𝑜 𝑙 = 84 = 2 21
" "
Now 𝐿 = ! 𝑙𝑃 becomes 𝐿 = ! 3 2 21 3 5 3 8 =
𝟒𝟎 𝟐𝟏 𝒄𝒎𝟐 ≈ 𝟏𝟖𝟑. 𝟑𝟎 𝒄𝒎𝟐 .

9
The total area (surface area) 𝑻 of a pyramid with
lateral area 𝐿 and base 𝐵 is given by 𝑇 = 𝐿 + 𝐵.

The formula for the total area 𝑇 of the pyramid

!
can be written as 𝑇 = " 𝑙𝑃 + 𝐵.

Example 2: Surface Area of a

Find the total area of the regular square pyramid Pyramid
in the figure below that has base edges of length
4 ft and lateral edges of length 6 ft.

SOLUTION: To determine the lateral area, we

need the length of the slant height.

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we have

Ryugyong Hotel
𝑙" + 2" = 6" North Korea
𝑙 = 32 = 4 2
The lateral area is
1
𝐿 = A 4 2 A 16 = 32 2 𝑓𝑡 "
2
Because the area of the square base is 𝐵 = 4" or
16𝑓𝑡 " , the total area is
𝑇 = 32 2 + 16 ≈ 𝟔𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 𝒇𝒕𝟐

10
 VOLUME OF A PYRAMID
The volume 𝑽 of a pyramid having a base area 𝐵 and
an altitude of length ℎ is given by
1
𝑉= 𝐵ℎ
3

Example 3:
Find the volume of the regular square pyramid with
height ℎ = 4 in and base edges of length 𝑠 = 6 in.
Volume of a Pyramid

!
SOLUTION: The area of the square base is 𝐵 = 6 𝑖𝑛
"
or 36 𝑖𝑛! . Because ℎ = 4 in., the formula 𝑉 = $ 𝐵ℎ
becomes
1
𝑉= 36 𝑖𝑛! 4 𝑖𝑛 = 𝟒𝟖 𝒊𝒏𝟑
3

The Shard
London

11
LET’S TRY!

I. Calculate the surface area and volume of the following pyramid

below.

A. B. C.

Pyramid A Surface Area: Volume:

Pyramid B Surface Area: Volume:

Pyramid C Surface Area: Volume:

II. Solve the following problems.

1. A triangular pyramid has an equilateral triangle as its base with side

lengths of 6 in, a slant height of 7 in, and a height of 8 in. What are the
volume and total surface area of the pyramid?

2. The roof of a wooden cottage is shaped like a square-based pyramid. The

length of the square base is 10 ft and the slant height of the triangular
base is 5 2 ft. If Peter wants to paint the roof of his wooden cottage,
what is the lateral area of the roof?

12
 Sukuh Temple
Indonesia

FRUSTUM OF A PYRAMID
Frustum of a Pyramid Our course, Solid Mensuration, aims to solve the
volumes and surface area of solids such as pyramids
and frustum of a pyramid.
Pyramids Cut by a Plane. The part of a pyramid
between its base and a plane cutting all its edges is
called a frustum if the cutting plane is parallel to the
base. If the cutting plane is not parallel to the base,
then we call it a truncated pyramid.

The Parts of a Regular Frustum

The two parallel faces of the frustum are its upper
and lower bases, the perpendicular distance between
the bases is its altitude, the trapezoidal faces are its
lateral surface, and the common altitude of these
faces is the slant height of the frustum.

SURFACE AREA OF A FRUSTUM OF A PYRAMID

The lateral area of the frustum of a regular pyramid is
equal to half the sum of the perimeters of the bases
multiplied by the slant height.
1
𝐿= 𝑃 + 𝑃' 𝑙
2 &
13
Example 4:
Find the lateral area of a frustum of a square
pyramid. The sides of the upper base and lower
base are 4m and 6m respectively and the slant
height is 8.
1
𝐿 = 𝑃$ + 𝑃% 𝑙
2
1
𝐿 = 16 + 24 8
2
𝐿 = 160 𝑚" Frustum of a Pyramid

The total area (surface area) 𝑻 of a frustum of a

pyramid with lateral area 𝐿 and bases 𝐵$ and 𝐵%
is given by 𝑇 = 𝐿 + 𝐵$ + 𝐵% .

Example 5:
Find the total area of the pyramid in Example 4.
𝑇 = 𝐿 + 𝐵$ + 𝐵%
𝑇 = 160 + 16 + 24
𝑇 = 200 𝑠𝑞𝑚

VOLUME OF A FRUSTUM PYRAMID

The volume of a frustum of a pyramid is equal to

the combined volumes of three pyramids whose
common altitude is the same as that of the Step Pyramid of Djoser
frustum, and the areas of whose bases are those Egypt

of the upper base, and lower base of the frustum

and the mean proportional between these areas.

The volume 𝑽 of a pyramid having a base area 𝐵

and an altitude of length ℎ is given by
1
𝑉 = (𝐵$ + 𝐵% + 𝐵$ 𝐵% )ℎ
3

14
 Example 6:
Find the volume of a frustum of a pyramid where the
areas of the bases are 36 sq. in. and 144 sq.in., and
whose altitude is 10 in.

Solution:
The area of the bases are 𝐵& = 36 𝑖𝑛! and 𝐵' =
144 𝑖𝑛! . Because ℎ = 10 in., the formula
1
𝑉 = (𝐵& + 𝐵' + 𝐵& 𝐵' )ℎ
3
Becomes
Frustum of a Pyramid 1
𝑉= 36 + 144 + 36 - 144 - 10
3
1
𝑉 = (36 + 144 + 72) - 10
3
𝑉 = 840 𝑖𝑛$ .

15
 CHECKPOINT
ASSESSMENT TASK

Ready for the Exercises?

Instructions: Read each situation carefully. Answer what is

being asked for each item.

1. The exhaust chute on a wood chipper has a shape like

the part of a pyramid known as the frustum of the
pyramid. With the dimensions as indicated, find the
volume (capacity) of the chipper’s exhaust chute.

2. A popcorn container at a
movie theater has the
shape of a frustum of a
pyramid. With the
dimensions as indicated,
find the volume (capacity
of the container.

Alexander, D., & Koeberlein, G. (2011). Elementary geometry for college students.

Brainkart. (n.d.).Volume of frustum of a cone. https://www.brainkart.com/article/Volume-of-frustum-of-a-cone_39426/

16
LESSON 2
Cone:
Surface Area
and Volume

Museum of Glass
Tacoma, Washington
 Think!
What will happen if
we try to increase the 3 sides
sides of a pyramid?

6 sides

Answer:
15 sides
The pyramid starts
Math is Fun.(2018) https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/pyramid-vs-
to look like a cone! cone.html

Total Surface Area of a Cone The formula used in cones:

A cone is a three-dimensional figure that has a Total Surface Area = 𝝅𝒓𝟐 + 𝝅𝒓𝒍

circular base joined by a curved side to a vertex = 𝝅𝒓 (𝒓 + 𝒍)

called the apex. 𝟏

Volume = 𝟑 𝝅𝒓𝟐 𝒉

where 𝒉 is the height, 𝒍 is the he slant

height, 𝒓 is radius, and 𝝅 is ≈ 3.1416

THINK!

• Have you watched some Disney

Bimage.(n.d.).https://dr282zn36sxxg.cloudfront.net/datastreams/f-
d:64f0dd36cb1db69f45c39ad2c00ae13f1079cc50620ae210364bde02%2BIMAGE%2BIMAGE.1 movies with princes and princesses
For example: living in a castle? What kind of roof
do they usually have?
A cone which a radius is 3 inches, a slant height of
5 inches, and a height of 4 inches. • Why do you think castles usually
have a conical roof?
Total surface area:
𝝅𝒓 𝒓 + 𝒍 = 𝝅 𝟑 𝟑+𝟓 = 𝟐𝟒𝝅 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

≈ 𝟕𝟓. 𝟒𝟎 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝟐
Volume: Try:
𝑟 =6 cm, h=8cm, what is the TSA
𝟏 7
𝝅𝒓𝟐 𝒉 = 𝜋(39)4 = 12𝜋 ≈ 𝟑𝟕. 𝟕𝟎 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝟑 and volume?
𝟑 8
18
 Ice cream CUP
vs.
Ice cream CONE
Assuming that the area of the
circular top of the ice cream
cone and cup is the same as
well as their height, price, and
flavor, which of the following
would you rather choose in
terms of quantity?

Frenzi frozen yogurt. (n.d.) https://images.app.goo.gl/48z2UWMxydDYAkZK8

Let’stute.(2017).https://youtu.be/6KpStN_0mjE

Frustum of a Cone The formula used in the frustum of a

cone:
Total Surface Area
= 𝝅𝑹𝟐 + 𝝅𝒓𝟐 + 𝛑𝒍 𝑹 + 𝒓
= 𝝅 𝑹𝟐 + 𝒓𝟐 + 𝛑𝒍 𝑹 + 𝒓
Volume
𝟏
s = 𝝅 𝑹𝟐 + 𝒓𝟐 + 𝑹𝒓 𝑯
𝟑

where 𝑹 is the bigger radius, 𝒓 is the

smaller radius, 𝒉 is the frustum height, 𝒍 is
Cuemath.(n.d.).https://images.app.goo.gl/9ZMCVqxGTYoXfgrRA the frustum slant height, and 𝝅 is ≈
3.1416
Example:
A frustum of a cone whose radii are 1 and 3 inches, slant Guggenheim Museum in New York by Frank
height of 5 inches, and height of 4 inches. Find its TSA and Lloyd Wright

volume:
Total surface area = 𝜋𝑅! + 𝜋𝑟 ! + 𝜋𝑙 𝑅 + 𝑟
= 𝜋(3! ) + 𝜋(1! ) + 𝜋(5)( 3 + 1
= 𝜋(9) + 𝜋 + 𝜋(5) 4
= 𝟑𝟎𝝅 ≈ 𝟗𝟒. 𝟐𝟓 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝟐
"
Volume = 𝜋 𝑅! + 𝑟 ! + 𝑅𝑟 𝐻
$
"
= $ 𝜋 3! + 1! + 3(1) 4

𝟓𝟐
= 𝟑
𝝅 ≈ 𝟓𝟒. 𝟒𝟓 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝟑
19 Trendhunter.https://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thum
bs/coneshaped-building.jpeg?auto=webp
 CHECKPOINT
ASSESSMENT TASK

Ready for the Next ROUND?

Instructions: Read each situation carefully. Answer what

is being asked for each item.

1. The teepee has a circular floor

with a radius equal to 6 ft and a
height of 15 ft. Find the volume
of the enclosure.

2. The oblique circular cone has an

altitude and a diameter of the
base that are each of length
6cm. The line segment joining
the vertex to the center of the
base is the axis of the cone.
What is the length of the axis?

3. If the radii of the circular ends of

a frustum which is 45 cm high
are 28cm and 7cm, find the
volume of the frustum.

Alexander, D., & Koeberlein, G. (2011). Elementary geometry for college students.

Brainkart. (n.d.).Volume of frustum of a cone. https://www.brainkart.com/article/Volume-of-frustum-of-a-cone_39426/

20
 SUMMARY

• Surface Area of a Pyramid

• Volume of a Pyramid

• Surface Area of a Cone

• Volume of a Cone

21
 KEY TERMS

• Pyramid

• Regular Pyramid

• Frustum of a Pyramid

• Apex (Vertex), and Slant Height

• Bases and Altitude

• Cones (Right and Oblique)

• Lateral Area

• Surface Area

• Volume
 ANSWER KEY

Answer to Exercises

Page 3

Page 10 I.

Pyramid A Surface Area: 𝟏𝟎𝟓𝒄𝒎𝟐 Volume: 𝟔𝟑. 𝟑𝟑𝒄𝒎𝟑

Pyramid B Surface Area: 𝟑𝟓𝟕 𝒊𝒏𝟐 Volume: 𝟑𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟒 𝒊𝒏𝟑

Pyramid C Surface Area: 𝟐𝟏𝟒𝟕. 𝟕𝟗 𝒊𝒏𝟐 Volume: 𝟓𝟔𝟕𝟎 𝒊𝒏𝟑

II.
4. Surface Area: 78.6 𝑖𝑛! Volume:41.6 𝑖𝑛$
5. Lateral Area: 141.42 𝑓𝑡 !

Page 16 1) 180 𝜋 𝑓𝑡 $ ≈ 565.49 𝑓𝑡 $ 2) 3 2 ≈ 6.71 𝑐𝑚

3) 48510 𝑐𝑚$

23
 REFERENCES

Books

Feliciano, F., & Uy, F. (1984). Applied Solid Geometry and Spherical Trigonometry.

Kern, W. F., & Bland, J. R. (2022). Solid Mensuration with Proofs (2nd Ed.). John Wiley.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction (2003). Architectural Area.

https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/architectural+area

Slaught, L. H. N. J. (2022). Solid Geometry with Problems and Applications, revised.

Alexander, D., & Koeberlein, G. (2011). Elementary geometry for college students.

Brainkart. (n.d.).Volume of frustum of a cone.

Internet Sources
Paul. (2013, March 10). Parallelepiped. Auckland - West. Retrieved December 9, 2022,
from http://auckland-west.co.nz/2013/03/11/parallelepiped/

Volume Theorem -- from Wolfram MathWorld. (2022).

https://mathworld.wolfram.com/VolumeTheorem.html

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Pyramids of Giza | History,
Location, Age, Interior, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pyramids-of-Giza

Math is Fun.(2018) https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/pyramid-vs-cone.html

Let’stute.(2017). https://youtu.be/6KpStN_0mjE

24
 REFERENCES

Images

Blogenium. 2D HD Pizza Wallpaper. https://www.blogenium.com/20-hd-pizza-

wallpaper/

Byjus (2022). Polygon. https://byjus.com/maths/polygon/

Classroom Secrets Limited. Year 5 Floor Plan Area and Perimeter Challenge.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/212654413632391839/

Giménez, V. (2010, August 25). Interchange 2 (English Textbook) [Blog].

https://interchangematerial.blogspot.com/2010/08/neighbor-vs-neighbor-extra-
practice.html

Maddjvan (2018, October 3). Write the perimeter of the floor plan shown as an
algebraic expression in x [Platform Question].
https://brainly.com/question/11255010

MathBlaster. Radius of a Circle. https://www.mathblaster.com/coolmath

/articles/radius-of-a-circle

MATHSMARTSPD (2016, November 14). Top 5 Things to Know About Teaching

Geometry in 3rd Grade! [Blog]. http://smathsmarts.com/top-5-things-to-know-
about-teaching-geometry-in-3rd-grade/

Mrs. Leo’s Math Blog. https://bmsmath7.weebly.com/uploads/1/2

/1/5/121563784/polygons_vs_non-polygons.png

Bimage.(n.d.). https://dr282zn36sxxg.cloudfront.net/datastreams/f-
d:64f0dd36cb1db69f45c39ad2c00ae13f1079cc50620ae210364bde02%2BIMAGE
%2BIMAGE.1

Creative commons. (n.d.). https://www.freepngimg.com/png/70246-kingdom-magic-

beauty-cinderella-sleeping-castle-princess
Cuemath.(n.d.). https://images.app.goo.gl/9ZMCVqxGTYoXfgrRA

Frenzi frozen yogurt. (n.d.) https://images.app.goo.gl/48z2UWMxydDYAkZK8

Trendhunter.(20 https://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/coneshaped-
building.jpeg?auto=webp

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