Geometry and measures

Volume and surface area

36 past-paper questions, easiest first. Try each one, then reveal the answer.

Foundation & Higher18 of 36 from Foundation papers

Revision guide by The Full Marks

Volume and surface area: what you need to know

Volume is the space inside a solid, and surface area is the total area of its outside. Questions on both tiers use cuboids, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres; Higher papers add harder composite solids and frustums, often with answers in terms of π\pi.

Both tiers need cuboids, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres; the harder composite and frustum questions appear mostly on Higher papers.

Key facts

  • Prism (including a cuboid): volume == area of cross-section ×\times length.
  • Cylinder: V=πr2hV = \pi r^2 h, curved surface area =2πrh= 2\pi r h. A closed cylinder also has two circular ends, so total surface area =2πr2+2πrh= 2\pi r^2 + 2\pi r h.
  • Pyramid: V=13×V = \frac{1}{3} \times base area ×\times height. Cone: V=13πr2hV = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h, curved surface area =πrl= \pi r l (ll = slant height).
  • Sphere: V=43πr3V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3, surface area =4πr2= 4\pi r^2. A hemisphere is half of these (plus a flat circle if it is solid).
  • 11 cm3=1^3 = 1 ml and 10001000 cm3=1^3 = 1 litre. 11 m3=1 000 000^3 = 1\,000\,000 cm3^3.

Surface area

  1. List every face or surface of the solid (a net can help).
  2. Find the area of each one; use the slant height, not the vertical height, for cones and pyramid triangles.
  3. Add them. Include flat faces such as a cone's base or a solid hemisphere's circle; leave out any faces that are joined together or open.

Composite solids

  1. Split the solid into shapes you know (for example a cone on a hemisphere).
  2. Find each volume and add them, or subtract a hole.
  3. A frustum is a large cone with a smaller, similar cone cut off the top: frustum volume == large cone −- small cone.
  4. If the answer should be 'in terms of π\pi', keep π\pi as a letter throughout.

Working backwards from a volume

  1. Substitute what you know into the formula.
  2. Rearrange to get r2r^2, r3r^3 or hh on its own.
  3. Square root or cube root if needed. For example, 43πr3=288π\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3 = 288\pi gives r3=216r^3 = 216, so r=6r = 6.

Worked examples

Example 1 Foundation · grade 4

A cylindrical water tank has radius 44 m and height 1010 m. Work out its volume, to 3 significant figures.

Show the solution

V=πr2hV = \pi r^2 h
=π×42×10= \pi \times 4^2 \times 10
=160π=502.65…= 160\pi = 502.65\ldots
V=503V = 503 m3^3 (3 s.f.)

Example 2 Higher · grade 7

A toy is made from a cone on top of a hemisphere. Both have radius 33 cm, and the cone's vertical height is 44 cm. Find the toy's volume and its total surface area, in terms of π\pi.

Show the solution

Cone volume =13π×32×4=12π= \frac{1}{3}\pi \times 3^2 \times 4 = 12\pi
Hemisphere volume =12×43π×33=18π= \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{4}{3}\pi \times 3^3 = 18\pi
Volume =30π= 30\pi cm3^3
Slant height: l=32+42=5l = \sqrt{3^2 + 4^2} = 5
Cone curved surface =π×3×5=15π= \pi \times 3 \times 5 = 15\pi
Hemisphere curved surface =12×4π×32=18π= \frac{1}{2} \times 4\pi \times 3^2 = 18\pi
Surface area =33π= 33\pi cm2^2 (no flat faces, as they are joined)

Common mistakes

  • Using the diameter as the radius. Halve it first.
  • Using the vertical height instead of the slant height for the curved surface of a cone.
  • Using a whole sphere when the shape is a hemisphere, or mixing cm and m without converting.
  • Leaving out a flat face in a total surface area, such as the circular base of a cone or one end of a closed cylinder.

Exam tips

  • When you need the formulae for a cone or sphere they are given in the question. Learn the cuboid, prism, cylinder and pyramid formulae.
  • Don't round until the final answer; rounded middle values can push you outside the accepted range.

Questions people ask

How do you work out the volume of a cylinder?

Find the area of the circle (πr2\pi r^2) and multiply by the height: V=πr2hV = \pi r^2 h.

What is the difference between volume and surface area?

Volume measures the space inside a solid, in cubic units such as cm3^3. Surface area is the total area of all its outside faces, in square units such as cm2^2.

Exam questions: Volume and surface area (36, easiest first)

Volume and surface area2 marksGrade 2CalculatorFoundation
November 2022 · Paper 3 Foundation · Q11
Work out the volume of a cuboid from its three dimensions.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2022 Paper 3 (Foundation, calculator), question 11.

Show answer
Answer160 cm³2 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume =8×5×4=160 cm3= 8 \times 5 \times 4 = 160\text{ cm}^3

Watch out: Adding the lengths or finding surface area instead.

Volume and surface area3 marksGrade 2CalculatorFoundation
November 2020 · Paper 2 Foundation · Q11
Find the volume of a cuboid from its three dimensions, with units.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2020 Paper 2 (Foundation, calculator), question 11.

Show answer
Answer600 cm3600\text{ cm}^33 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume = length × width × height

=15×10×4=600= 15 \times 10 \times 4 = 600

Answer: 600 cm3600\text{ cm}^3

Watch out: Adding the lengths, or giving the units as cm².

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 3No calculatorFoundation
November 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation · Q14
Find a missing height of a cuboid from its volume and find the surface area of another cuboid.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2024 Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 14.

Show answer
(a)552 marks
(b)1261263 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

(a) Base area =10×4=40= 10 \times 4 = 40 cm², so height =200÷40=5= 200 \div 40 = 5 cm

(b) Faces: 6×5=306 \times 5 = 30, 6×3=186 \times 3 = 18, 5×3=155 \times 3 = 15

Each appears twice: 2(30+18+15)=1262(30 + 18 + 15) = 126 cm²

Watch out: In (b), working out the volume (90) instead.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 4CalculatorFoundation
November 2024 · Paper 3 Foundation · Q13
Work out how many cuboid boxes fill a larger cuboid crate given in different units.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2024 Paper 3 (Foundation, calculator), question 13.

Show answer
Answer3003004 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Crate in cm: 300×100×150300 \times 100 \times 150

300÷20=15300 \div 20 = 15, 100÷10=10100 \div 10 = 10, 150÷75=2150 \div 75 = 2

Boxes: 15×10×2=30015 \times 10 \times 2 = 300

(Check with volumes: 4 500 000 cm3÷15 000 cm3=3004\,500\,000 \text{ cm}^3 \div 15\,000 \text{ cm}^3 = 300 boxes)

Watch out: Mixing metres and centimetres without converting.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 4No calculatorOn both tiers
June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation · Q22
Use a cube's surface area to find its volume.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2023 Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 22.

Show answer
Answer1251254 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

A cube has 6 equal faces: 150÷6=25150 \div 6 = 25 cm²

Edge length: 25=5\sqrt{25} = 5 cm

Volume: 5×5×5=1255 \times 5 \times 5 = 125 cm³

Watch out: Dividing by 4 or cube-rooting 150.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 4CalculatorFoundation
June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation · Q14
Find how many small cuboid packets fit into a larger cuboid box when the sizes are in different units.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2023 Paper 2 (Foundation, calculator), question 14.

Show answer
Answer8644 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Change the packet to cm: 8 cm by 6 cm by 2 cm.

Along each edge: 72÷8=972 \div 8 = 9, 48÷6=848 \div 6 = 8, 24÷2=1224 \div 2 = 12

9×8×12=8649 \times 8 \times 12 = 864

(Check: 82944÷96=86482944 \div 96 = 864.)

Watch out: Not converting mm to cm, or mixing units in the division.

Volume and surface area3 marksGrade 5CalculatorHigher
June 2024 · Paper 3 Higher · Q9
Find the height of a square-based pyramid whose volume equals that of a given cube.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2024 Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 9.

Show answer
Answer10.12510.125 cm3 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Cube: 63=2166^3 = 216 cm³

Pyramid: 13×8×8×h=643h\frac13 \times 8 \times 8 \times h = \frac{64}{3}h

643h=216⇒h=216×364=10.125\frac{64}{3}h = 216 \Rightarrow h = \dfrac{216 \times 3}{64} = 10.125 cm

Watch out: Forgetting the 13\frac13 in the pyramid volume, giving h=3.375h = 3.375.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 5CalculatorOn both tiers
November 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation · Q28
Find the volume of a cylinder, convert it to litres and work out the filling time at a given rate.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2023 Paper 2 (Foundation, calculator), question 28.

Show answer
Answer65 minutes4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume =π×152×43=30 394.9… cm3= \pi \times 15^2 \times 43 = 30\,394.9\ldots\text{ cm}^3

1000 cm3=11000\text{ cm}^3 = 1 litre, so this is 30.3949…30.3949\ldots litres.

Time =30.3949÷0.47=64.67…= 30.3949 \div 0.47 = 64.67\ldots, so 65 minutes

Watch out: Forgetting to convert cm³ to litres.

Volume and surface area3 marksGrade 5No calculatorFoundation
June 2022 · Paper 1 Foundation · Q22
Read a cylinder's radius and height from a plan and front elevation, then find its volume in terms of pi.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2022 Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 22.

Show answer
Answer45π45\pi3 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

The plan is a circle 6 cm across, so the radius is 3 cm.

The front elevation is 5 cm tall, so the height is 5 cm.

V=πr2h=π×32×5=45πV = \pi r^2 h = \pi \times 3^2 \times 5 = 45\pi cm³

Watch out: Using the diameter 6 as the radius, giving 180π.

Volume and surface area3 marksGrade 5No calculatorHigher
June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher · Q9
Find the total surface area of a solid made by standing a cube on a cuboid.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2022 Paper 1 (Higher, non-calculator), question 9.

Show answer
Answer278 cm²3 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Cuboid faces: 2(7×5)+2(6×5)+2(7×6)=70+60+84=2142(7\times5) + 2(6\times5) + 2(7\times6) = 70 + 60 + 84 = 214

Cube faces: 6×16=966 \times 16 = 96

The join hides one 4×44 \times 4 face on each solid: 214+96−2×16=278 cm2214 + 96 - 2 \times 16 = 278\text{ cm}^2

Watch out: Adding the two separate surface areas (310) without removing the two hidden 16 cm² faces.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 5CalculatorOn both tiers
November 2022 · Paper 3 Foundation · Q24
Find the volume of four cylindrical tanks and check whether there is enough fertiliser for a 1 : 100 mix.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2022 Paper 3 (Foundation, calculator), question 24.

Show answer
AnswerYes: about 31.85 litres of fertiliser are needed and she has 324 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

One tank: π×402×160≈804 248 cm3\pi \times 40^2 \times 160 \approx 804\,248\text{ cm}^3

Four tanks: ≈3 216 991 cm3≈3217\approx 3\,216\,991\text{ cm}^3 \approx 3217 litres

Fertiliser is 1 part in 101: 3217÷101≈31.853217 \div 101 \approx 31.85 litres

31.85<3231.85 < 32, so yes, she has enough.

Watch out: Dividing by 100 instead of 101, or using the diameter as the radius.

Volume and surface area3 marksGrade 5No calculatorOn both tiers
November 2021 · Paper 1 Foundation · Q25
Find the height of a right-angled triangular prism from its volume, length and triangle base.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2021 Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 25.

Show answer
Answer1212 cm3 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Cross-section area: 750÷25=30750 \div 25 = 30 cm²

Triangle area: 12×5×h=30\frac{1}{2} \times 5 \times h = 30

2.5h=302.5h = 30, so h=12h = 12 cm

Watch out: Forgetting the half in the triangle area and getting 6.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 5No calculatorOn both tiers
November 2021 · Paper 1 Foundation · Q26
Set a cube's surface area equal to a sphere's surface area and show the edge is the square root of an integer times π.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2021 Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 26.

Show answer
Answer6x2=36π6x^2 = 36\pi, so x=6πx = \sqrt{6\pi} (k=6k = 6)4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Cube surface area: 6x26x^2

Sphere surface area: 4π×32=36π4\pi \times 3^2 = 36\pi

6x2=36π6x^2 = 36\pi

x2=6πx^2 = 6\pi

x=6πx = \sqrt{6\pi}, so k=6k = 6, an integer.

Watch out: Using only one face of the cube, x2=36πx^2 = 36\pi.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 5CalculatorOn both tiers
November 2019 · Paper 2 Foundation · Q29
Use equal surface areas of a cube and cuboid to test whether their volumes are equal.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2019 Paper 2 (Foundation, calculator), question 29.

Show answer
AnswerNo: cube volume 1000 cm³, cuboid volume 864 cm³5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Cuboid surface area: 2(6×8+6×18+8×18)=2(48+108+144)=600 cm22(6\times8 + 6\times18 + 8\times18) = 2(48+108+144) = 600\text{ cm}^2

Each cube face: 600÷6=100600 \div 6 = 100, so the side is 100=10\sqrt{100} = 10 cm

Cube volume =103=1000 cm3= 10^3 = 1000\text{ cm}^3; cuboid volume =6×8×18=864 cm3= 6 \times 8 \times 18 = 864\text{ cm}^3

1000≠8641000 \ne 864, so Janet is not correct.

Watch out: Only adding three faces of the cuboid (300) instead of all six.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 5CalculatorOn both tiers
June 2019 · Paper 2 Foundation · Q23
Find the volume of water in a cuboid container that is two-thirds full and how many whole 275 ml cups it can fill.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2019 Paper 2 (Foundation, calculator), question 23.

Show answer
Answer884 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume =30×19×6=3420 cm3= 30 \times 19 \times 6 = 3420\text{ cm}^3

Water =23×3420=2280 cm3=2280 ml= \frac{2}{3} \times 3420 = 2280\text{ cm}^3 = 2280\text{ ml}

2280÷275=8.29...2280 \div 275 = 8.29...

Only 8 cups can be completely filled.

Watch out: Rounding 8.29 up to 9 cups.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 5CalculatorOn both tiers
June 2019 · Paper 3 Foundation · Q29
Find the surface area of three closed cylinders and decide if seven tins of paint are enough.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2019 Paper 3 (Foundation, calculator), question 29.

Show answer
AnswerNo: total area about 39.2 m239.2\text{ m}^2 needs about 7.84 tins (8), but the 7 tins cover only 35 m235\text{ m}^25 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Radius =0.8= 0.8 m

Top and bottom: 2×π×0.82=4.021...2 \times \pi \times 0.8^2 = 4.021...

Curved surface: 2×π×0.8×1.8=9.047...2 \times \pi \times 0.8 \times 1.8 = 9.047...

One tank: 13.069...13.069... m²; three tanks: 39.2139.21 m²

Paint covers 7×5=357 \times 5 = 35 m² <39.21< 39.21, so No, he does not have enough.

Watch out: Using the diameter 1.6 as the radius, or leaving out the top or bottom.

Volume and surface area6 marksGrade 5No calculatorFoundation
June 2018 · Paper 1 Foundation · Q23
Draw the front elevation of a square-based pyramid and find its total surface area.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2018 Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 23.

Show answer
(a)Isosceles triangle, base 6 cm, height 4 cm2 marks
(b)96 cm296\text{ cm}^24 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

(a) From the front you see a triangle: base 6 cm, height 4 cm, apex above the middle of the base.

(b) Each sloping face: 12×6×5=15 cm2\frac{1}{2} \times 6 \times 5 = 15\text{ cm}^2

Four faces: 4×15=604 \times 15 = 60. Base: 6×6=366 \times 6 = 36

Total =60+36=96 cm2= 60 + 36 = 96\text{ cm}^2

Watch out: Using the vertical height 4 cm instead of the slant height 5 cm for the triangles (giving 84).

Volume and surface area6 marksGrade 5No calculatorHigher
June 2018 · Paper 1 Higher · Q5
Draw the front elevation of a square-based pyramid and work out its total surface area.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2018 Paper 1 (Higher, non-calculator), question 5.

Show answer
(a)An isosceles triangle with base 6 cm and height 4 cm2 marks
(b)96 cm296\text{ cm}^24 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

(a) From the front you see a triangle: base 6 cm, height 4 cm, apex above the middle of the base.

(b) Each sloping face is a triangle with base 6 and slant height 5: 12×6×5=15 cm2\frac{1}{2} \times 6 \times 5 = 15\text{ cm}^2

Base =6×6=36 cm2= 6 \times 6 = 36\text{ cm}^2

Total =4×15+36=96 cm2= 4 \times 15 + 36 = 96\text{ cm}^2

Watch out: Using the vertical height 4 cm instead of the slant height 5 cm for the triangles (giving 84).

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 5CalculatorFoundation
June 2018 · Paper 2 Foundation · Q26
Use Pythagoras to find a missing side of a triangular cross-section, then find the prism's volume to 3 s.f.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2018 Paper 2 (Foundation, calculator), question 26.

Show answer
Answer280280 cm³5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Base of triangle: 8.42−7.22=18.72=4.327\sqrt{8.4^2 - 7.2^2} = \sqrt{18.72} = 4.327 cm

Triangle area: 12×4.327×7.2=15.58\frac{1}{2} \times 4.327 \times 7.2 = 15.58 cm²

Volume: 15.58×18=280.4≈28015.58 \times 18 = 280.4 \approx 280 cm³

Watch out: Adding the squares instead of subtracting, or forgetting to halve.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 5No calculatorOn both tiers
Specimen · Paper 1 Foundation · Q24
Find the volume of a cuboid sand pit, convert to litres and show that the sand costs more than a stated amount.

© Pearson Education Ltd. Specimen Paper 1 (Foundation, non-calculator), question 24.

Show answer
AnswerVolume 240000240000 cm³ =240= 240 litres, so 30 bags costing £75£75, which is more than £705 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume =100×60×40=240000= 100 \times 60 \times 40 = 240000 cm³

11 litre =1000= 1000 cm³, so that is 240240 litres.

Bags: 240÷8=30240 \div 8 = 30

Cost: 30×£2.50=£7530 \times £2.50 = £75, which is more than £70, so Sally is wrong.

Watch out: Using 1 litre = 100 cm³, or adding the dimensions instead of multiplying.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 5CalculatorOn both tiers
June 2024 · Paper 3 Foundation · Q28
Find the volume of a cylindrical pool and how many minutes it takes to fill at a given rate.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2024 Paper 3 (Foundation, calculator), question 28.

Show answer
Answer6363 minutes (accept 62 to 63)4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume =πr2h=π×1002×30=942 478= \pi r^2 h = \pi \times 100^2 \times 30 = 942\,478 cm³

Time =942 478÷250=3769.9= 942\,478 \div 250 = 3769.9 seconds

3769.9÷60=62.83769.9 \div 60 = 62.8, so about 6363 minutes.

Watch out: Using the diameter or forgetting to square the radius; or giving the time in seconds.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 6CalculatorHigher
November 2020 · Paper 3 Higher · Q9
Find the volume of a prism whose cross-section is a rectangle topped by an isosceles triangle, using trigonometry for the triangle's height.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2020 Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 9.

Show answer
Answer28202820 cm³ (accept 2810 to 2820)5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

The triangle is isosceles, so split it into two right-angled triangles with base 55 cm.

Height h=5tan⁡40∘≈4.195h = 5\tan 40^\circ \approx 4.195 cm

Cross-section =10×12+12×10×4.195≈140.98= 10 \times 12 + \frac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 4.195 \approx 140.98 cm²

Volume =140.98×20≈2819.5≈2820= 140.98 \times 20 \approx 2819.5 \approx 2820 cm³

Watch out: Treating 40° as the apex angle or using 10 instead of 5 as the base of the right-angled triangle.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 6No calculatorHigher
June 2019 · Paper 1 Higher · Q15
Find the total volume of a cone on top of a hemisphere as a multiple of pi.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2019 Paper 1 (Higher, non-calculator), question 15.

Show answer
Answerk=48k = 484 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Radius =6÷2=3= 6 \div 2 = 3 cm.

Cone: 13π×32×10=30π\frac{1}{3} \pi \times 3^2 \times 10 = 30\pi

Hemisphere: 12×43π×33=18π\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{4}{3} \pi \times 3^3 = 18\pi

Total =48π= 48\pi, so k=48k = 48.

Watch out: Using the full sphere, giving 30π+36π=66π30\pi + 36\pi = 66\pi, or using 6 as the radius.

Volume and surface area2 marksGrade 6CalculatorHigher
November 2019 · Paper 2 Higher · Q19
Find the volume of a hemisphere from its diameter, to 3 significant figures.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2019 Paper 2 (Higher, calculator), question 19.

Show answer
Answer155 cm3155\text{ cm}^32 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Radius =8.4÷2=4.2= 8.4 \div 2 = 4.2 cm

Volume =12×43π×4.23=155.17...= \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{4}{3}\pi \times 4.2^3 = 155.17...

=155 cm3= 155\text{ cm}^3 (3 s.f.)

Watch out: Using the diameter 8.4 as the radius.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 6CalculatorHigher
November 2018 · Paper 3 Higher · Q8
Find the whole-number edges of a cuboid from its face areas, then work out how many small cubes its melted volume would make.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2018 Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 8.

Show answer
Answer885 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Face areas 15, 27, 45 need edges with pair products 15, 27, 45: the edges are 3, 5 and 9 cm.

Volume of cuboid =3×5×9=135= 3 \times 5 \times 9 = 135 cm3^3

Volume of one cube =2.53=15.625= 2.5^3 = 15.625 cm3^3

135÷15.625=8.64135 \div 15.625 = 8.64, so at most 8 whole cubes.

Watch out: Rounding 8.64 up to 9.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 7CalculatorHigher
November 2024 · Paper 3 Higher · Q19
Find the height of a cone given its total surface area and the ratio of radius to height.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2024 Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 19.

Show answer
Answer66 cm4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Let height =h= h, so r=34hr = \frac{3}{4}h.

l=h2+916h2=54hl = \sqrt{h^2 + \frac{9}{16}h^2} = \frac{5}{4}h

Total area =πrl+πr2=π(1516h2+916h2)=2416πh2= \pi r l + \pi r^2 = \pi\left(\frac{15}{16}h^2 + \frac{9}{16}h^2\right) = \frac{24}{16}\pi h^2

32h2=54⇒h2=36⇒h=6\frac{3}{2}h^2 = 54 \Rightarrow h^2 = 36 \Rightarrow h = 6 cm

Watch out: Leaving out the circular base when finding the total surface area.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 7CalculatorHigher
November 2023 · Paper 3 Higher · Q19
Find the volume of a hemisphere with a frustum of a cone removed, working out the frustum from two similar cones.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2023 Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 19.

Show answer
Answer2030 cm32030\text{ cm}^3 (2026 to 2030)4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Small cone: height 10 is 23\frac{2}{3} of 15, so its radius is 23×12=8\frac{2}{3} \times 12 = 8 cm.

Large cone =13π(122)(15)=720π= \frac{1}{3}\pi(12^2)(15) = 720\pi; small cone =13π(82)(10)=6403π= \frac{1}{3}\pi(8^2)(10) = \frac{640}{3}\pi

Frustum =720π−6403π=15203π= 720\pi - \frac{640}{3}\pi = \frac{1520}{3}\pi

Hemisphere =23π(123)=1152π= \frac{2}{3}\pi(12^3) = 1152\pi

S=1152π−15203π=2027.37...≈2030 cm3S = 1152\pi - \frac{1520}{3}\pi = 2027.37... \approx 2030\text{ cm}^3

Watch out: Using the diameter 24 as the radius, or using a full sphere instead of a hemisphere.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 7CalculatorHigher
June 2022 · Paper 2 Higher · Q17
Find the total height of a cone on top of a hemisphere from its total volume, then say how widening both would change the height.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2022 Paper 2 (Higher, calculator), question 17.

Show answer
(a)y=25.9y = 25.94 marks
(b)The height yy would decrease1 mark

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

(a) Radius =3.5= 3.5 cm. Hemisphere: 23π(3.5)3=28.583...π\frac{2}{3}\pi(3.5)^3 = 28.583...\pi

Cone volume =120π−28.583...π=91.416...π= 120\pi - 28.583...\pi = 91.416...\pi

13π(3.5)2h=91.416...π\frac{1}{3}\pi(3.5)^2 h = 91.416...\pi gives h=91.416...÷4.0833...=22.387...h = 91.416... \div 4.0833... = 22.387...

y=h+3.5=25.887...y = h + 3.5 = 25.887..., so y=25.9y = 25.9

(b) With a wider base the same volume needs less height, so yy would be smaller.

Watch out: Forgetting to add the hemisphere's radius, giving 22.4 (the mark scheme gives a special case of 3 marks for this).

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 7CalculatorHigher
June 2018 · Paper 2 Higher · Q19
Find the radius of a quarter-sphere from its volume, then its total surface area including the flat faces.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2018 Paper 2 (Higher, calculator), question 19.

Show answer
Answer905 cm2905\text{ cm}^2 (or 288π288\pi)5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

14×43πr3=576π\frac{1}{4} \times \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3 = 576\pi, so r3=1728r^3 = 1728 and r=12r = 12

Curved part: 14×4π×122=144π\frac{1}{4} \times 4\pi \times 12^2 = 144\pi

Two flat semicircles: 2×12π×122=144π2 \times \frac{1}{2}\pi \times 12^2 = 144\pi

Total =288π=904.8≈905 cm2= 288\pi = 904.8 \approx 905\text{ cm}^2 (3 s.f.)

Watch out: Forgetting the two flat semicircular faces, giving 452 cm².

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 7No calculatorHigher
Specimen · Paper 1 Higher · Q18
Find the radius of a hemisphere from its volume, then its exact total surface area including the flat face.

© Pearson Education Ltd. Specimen Paper 1 (Higher, non-calculator), question 18.

Show answer
Answer75π75\pi cm²4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Hemisphere volume: 23πr3=2503π\frac{2}{3}\pi r^3 = \frac{250}{3}\pi, so r3=125r^3 = 125 and r=5r = 5.

Curved surface: 12×4π×52=50π\frac{1}{2} \times 4\pi \times 5^2 = 50\pi

Flat face: π×52=25π\pi \times 5^2 = 25\pi

Total: 50π+25π=75π50\pi + 25\pi = 75\pi cm²

Watch out: Forgetting to include the flat circular face.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 8No calculatorHigher
June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher · Q21
Use the volume and surface area of a cuboid to form and solve a quadratic for its height.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2024 Paper 1 (Higher, non-calculator), question 21.

Show answer
Answer2.5 cm2.5\text{ cm}5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Volume: 20wh=30020wh = 300, so wh=15wh = 15

Surface area: 2(20w+20h+wh)=370⇒40w+40h+30=370⇒w+h=8.52(20w + 20h + wh) = 370 \Rightarrow 40w + 40h + 30 = 370 \Rightarrow w + h = 8.5

Substitute w=15hw = \frac{15}{h}: 15h+h=8.5⇒2h2−17h+30=0\frac{15}{h} + h = 8.5 \Rightarrow 2h^2 - 17h + 30 = 0

(2h−5)(h−6)=0(2h - 5)(h - 6) = 0, so h=2.5h = 2.5 or 66

The width is greater than the height, so h=2.5h = 2.5 cm (and w=6w = 6 cm)

Watch out: Choosing h=6h = 6 and ignoring the condition that the width is greater than the height.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 8CalculatorHigher
June 2023 · Paper 3 Higher · Q18
Use similar cones to find the top radius of a frustum, then work out its total surface area.

© Pearson Education Ltd. June 2023 Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 18.

Show answer
Answer98.8 cm²5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Small cone radius: 610×3=1.8\dfrac{6}{10} \times 3 = 1.8 cm

Curved area of frustum =π×3×10−π×1.8×6=19.2π=60.3...= \pi \times 3 \times 10 - \pi \times 1.8 \times 6 = 19.2\pi = 60.3...

Bottom circle: π×32=9π\pi \times 3^2 = 9\pi; top circle: π×1.82=3.24π\pi \times 1.8^2 = 3.24\pi

Total =(19.2+9+3.24)π=31.44π=98.77...= (19.2 + 9 + 3.24)\pi = 31.44\pi = 98.77..., so 98.898.8 cm²

Watch out: Forgetting one of the two circular faces, often the top one.

Volume and surface area6 marksGrade 8No calculatorHigher
November 2022 · Paper 1 Higher · Q24
Find the ratio of radius to height when a sphere and cone have equal volumes, then when a sphere's surface area equals a cone's total surface area.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2022 Paper 1 (Higher, non-calculator), question 24.

Show answer
(a)1:41 : 42 marks
(b)1:81 : \sqrt{8}4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

(a) 43πr3=13πr2h⇒4r=h\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3 = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h \Rightarrow 4r = h, so r:h=1:4r : h = 1 : 4

(b) 4πr2=πr2+πrl⇒3r=l4\pi r^2 = \pi r^2 + \pi r l \Rightarrow 3r = l

l2=r2+h2⇒9r2=r2+h2⇒h2=8r2l^2 = r^2 + h^2 \Rightarrow 9r^2 = r^2 + h^2 \Rightarrow h^2 = 8r^2

h=8 rh = \sqrt{8}\,r, so r:h=1:8r : h = 1 : \sqrt{8}

Watch out: In (b), forgetting to include the circular base of the cone.

Volume and surface area4 marksGrade 8CalculatorHigher
November 2020 · Paper 2 Higher · Q18
Find the curved surface area of a cone left unpainted below a circle drawn part way up, giving an exact answer in terms of π.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2020 Paper 2 (Higher, calculator), question 18.

Show answer
Answer160π160\pi4 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Whole cone: r=10r = 10, l=25l = 25, so curved surface area =π×10×25=250π= \pi \times 10 \times 25 = 250\pi.

The grey part is a smaller similar cone with slant height 25−10=1525 - 10 = 15.

Its radius is 10×1525=610 \times \frac{15}{25} = 6, so its area is π×6×15=90π\pi \times 6 \times 15 = 90\pi.

Unpainted area =250π−90π=160π= 250\pi - 90\pi = 160\pi cm².

Watch out: Using a slant height of 10 for the grey cone instead of 15.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 8CalculatorHigher
November 2018 · Paper 2 Higher · Q20
Find the average density of a solid made from a frustum and a hemisphere with different densities.

© Pearson Education Ltd. November 2018 Paper 2 (Higher, calculator), question 20.

Show answer
Answer3.753.75 g/cm³5 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Frustum =13π(3.6)2(6.4)−13π(1.8)2(3.2)=76.00= \frac{1}{3}\pi(3.6)^2(6.4) - \frac{1}{3}\pi(1.8)^2(3.2) = 76.00 cm³

Hemisphere =23π(3.6)3=97.72= \frac{2}{3}\pi(3.6)^3 = 97.72 cm³

Mass =76.00×2.4+97.72×4.8=182.40+469.04=651.44= 76.00 \times 2.4 + 97.72 \times 4.8 = 182.40 + 469.04 = 651.44 g

Density =651.44173.72=3.75= \frac{651.44}{173.72} = 3.75 g/cm³

Watch out: Averaging the two densities (3.6) instead of using total mass over total volume.

Volume and surface area5 marksGrade 8CalculatorHigher
Specimen · Paper 3 Higher · Q17
Use the curved surface area of a cone given in terms of x to find x, then the volume as a multiple of π.

© Pearson Education Ltd. Specimen Paper 3 (Higher, calculator), question 17.

Show answer
AnswerV=20 736V = 20\,7365 marks

Worked solution Checked against the mark scheme

Radius =12x= 12x, height =16x= 16x, so slant height l=(12x)2+(16x)2=20xl = \sqrt{(12x)^2 + (16x)^2} = 20x

Curved surface area: π×12x×20x=240x2π=2160π\pi \times 12x \times 20x = 240x^2\pi = 2160\pi, so x2=9x^2 = 9 and x=3x = 3

So r=36r = 36 and h=48h = 48

Volume =13π×362×48=20 736π= \frac{1}{3}\pi \times 36^2 \times 48 = 20\,736\pi, so V=20 736V = 20\,736

Watch out: Using the diameter 24x as the radius.

Also tested in these questions

Their main topic is different, but part of each one tests this topic.