CHAPTER 27 VOLUMES AND SURFACE AREAS OF COMMON

SOLIDS
EXERCISE 105 Page 275

3
1. Change a volume of 1,200,000 cm to cubic metres.

1m3  106 cm3 or 1cm 3  10 6 m3

6
1,200,000 cm = 1,200,000 10 m
3 3
Hence,

3
= 1.2 m

3
2. Change a volume of 5000 mm to cubic centimetres.

1cm 3  103 mm3 or 1mm3  10 3 cm3

3
5000 mm = 5000 10 mm = 5 cm
3 3 3
Hence,

2
3. A metal cube has a surface area of 24 cm . Determine its volume.

cm 2
A cube had 6 sides. Area of each side = 24/6 = 4

Each side is a square hence the length of a side = 4 = 2 cm

3
Volume of cube = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8 cm

4. A rectangular block of wood has dimensions of 40 mm by 12 mm by 8 mm. Determine (a) its

volume, in cubic millimetres, and (b) its total surface area in square millimetres.

(a) Volume of cuboid = l  b  h = 40  12  8 = 3840 mm

3

(b) Surface area = 2(bh + hl + lb)

= 2(12  8 + 8 40 + 40  12)

= 2(96 + 320 + 480)

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 435
 2
= 2  896 = 1792 mm

5. Determine the capacity, in litres, of a fish tank measuring 90 cm by 60 cm by 1.8 m, given

3
1 litre = 1000 cm .

3
Volume = (90  60  180) cm

90  60 180 cm3
3
Tank capacity = 1000 cm / litre = 972 litre

6. A rectangular block of metal has dimensions of 40 mm by 25 mm by 15 mm. Determine its

3
volume in cm . Find also its mass if the metal has a density of 9 g/cm3.

3
Volume = length  breadth  width = 40  25  15 = 15000 mm

3 3 3
= 15000  10 cm = 15 cm

3
Mass = density  volume = 9 g / cm  15 cm = 135 g
3

7. Determine the maximum capacity, in litres, of a fish tank measuring 50 cm by 40 cm by 2.5 m

(1 litre = 1000 cm3)

3
Volume = 50  40  250 cm

50  40  250 cm3
3
Tank capacity = 1000 cm / litre = 500 litre

8. Determine how many cubic metres of concrete are required for a 120 m long path, 150 mm wide

and 80 mm deep

Width = 150 mm = 0.15 m and depth = 80 mm = 0.080 m

3
Hence, volume of path = length  breadth  width = 120  0.15  0.080 = 1.44 m

1.44m 3
i.e. concrete required =
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 436
9. A cylinder has a diameter 30 mm and height 50 mm. calculate (a) its volume in cubic

centimetres, correct to 1 decimal place, and (b) the total surface area in square centimetres,

correct to 1 decimal place.

Diameter = 30 mm = 3 cm hence radius, r = 3/2 = 1.5 cm and height, h = 50 mm = 5 cm

r 2 h    1.5  5  11.25
2
3
(a) Volume = = 35.3 cm , correct to 1 decimal place

(b) Total surface area = 2rh + 2r

2

2
= (2    1.5  5) + (2    1.5 )

2
= 15 + 4.5 = 19.5 = 61.3 cm

10. Find (a) the volume, and (b) the total surface area of a right-angled triangular prism of length

80 cm and whose triangular end has a base of 12 cm and perpendicular height 5 cm.

1 1
(a) Volume of right-angled triangular prism = 2 bhl = 2  12  5  80

3
i.e. volume = 2400 cm

(b) Total surface area = area of each end + area of three sides

In triangle ABC, AC  AB  BC
2 2 2

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 437

 from which, AC = AB2  BC2  52  122 = 13 cm

1 
2  bh 
Hence, total surface area =  2  + (AC  80) + (BC  80) + (AB  80)

= (12  5) + (13  80) + (12  80) + (5  80)

= 60 + 1040 + 960 + 400

2
i.e. total surface area = 2460 cm

2
11. A steel ingot whose volume is 2 m is rolled out into a plate which is 30 mm thick and 1.80 m

wide. Calculate the length of the plate in metres.

Volume of ingot = length × breadth × width

i.e. 2 = l × 0.030 × 1.80

2
0.030 1.80
from which, length = = 37.04 m

3
12. The volume of a cylinder is 75 cm . If its height is 9.0 cm, find its radius.

Volume of cylinder, V = r h
2

75 = r (9.0)
2
i.e.

75 75
r2 
from which,  9.0 and radius, r =  9.0 = 1.63 cm

13. Calculate the volume of a metal tube whose outside diameter is 8 cm and whose inside diameter

is 6 cm, if the length of the tube is 4 m.

Outer diameter, D = 8 cm and inner diameter, d = 6 cm

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 438

 D 2 d 2   8    6
2 2

  
Area of cross-section of copper = 4 4 4 4

2
= 50.2655 – 28.2743 = 21.9912 cm

Hence, volume of metal tube = (cross-sectional area)  length of pipe

= 21.9912  400 = 8796 cm3

14. The volume of a cylinder is 400 cm3. If its radius is 5.20 cm, find its height. Determine also its

curved surface area.

Volume of cylinder, V = r h
2

400 = (5.20) h
2
i.e.

400
h
from which, height,  (5.20) 2 = 4.709 cm

Curved surface area = 2rh = (2    5.20  4.709)

2
= 153.9 cm

15. A cylinder is cast from a rectangular piece of alloy 5 cm by 7 cm by 12 cm. If the length of the

cylinder is to be 60 cm, find its diameter.

3
Volume of rectangular piece of alloy = 5  7  12 = 420 cm

Volume of cylinder =  r h
2

420 7 7
r2  
420 =  r (60) (60) 
2
Hence, from which, and radius, r =  = 1.4927 cm

and diameter of cylinder, d = 2r = 2  1.4927 = 2.99 cm

16. Find the volume and the total surface area of a regular hexagonal bar of metal of length 3 m if

each side of the hexagon is 6 cm.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 439

A hexagon is shown below.

3 3
In triangle 0BC, tan 30 = x from which, x = tan 30 = 5.196 cm.
1 
6   6  5.196 
Hence, area of hexagon =  2  = 93.53 cm 2

3
and volume of hexagonal bar = 93.53  300 = 28060 cm

6  0.06  3  2 93.53 10 4 

Surface area of bar = in metre units

2
= 1.099 m

17. A block of lead 1.5 m by 90 cm by 750 mm is hammered out to make a square sheet 15 mm

thick. Determine the dimensions of the square sheet, correct to the nearest centimetre.

Volume of block of lead = length × breadth × height

3
= 150 × 90 × 75 cm

If length = breadth = x cm and height = 15/10 = 1.5 cm, then

x 2  1.5 
= 150 × 90 × 75

150  90  75 150  90  75
x2 
from which, 1.5 and x= 1.5 = 821.6 cm = 8.22 m

Hence, dimensions of square sheet are 8.22 m by 8.22 m

3
18. How long will it take a tap dripping at a rate of 800 mm / s to fill a 3-litre can?

3 litre = 3000 cm = 3000 10 mm  3 10 mm

3 3 3 6 3

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 440

 3 106 mm3 3750
3
Time to fill can = 800 mm / s = 3750 s = 60 = 62.5 minutes

19. A cylinder is cast from a rectangular piece of alloy 5.20 cm by 6.50 cm by 19.33 cm. If the

height of the cylinder is to be 52.0 cm, determine its diameter, correct to the nearest centimetre.

Volume of cylinder, V = r h
2 3
and volume of rectangular prism = 5.20 × 6.50 ×19.33 cm

5.20 × 6.50 ×19.33 = r (52.0)

2
i.e.

5.20  6.50 19.33 5.20  6.50 19.33

r2  r
from which,  52.0 and radius,  52.0 = 2.0 cm

i.e. diameter = 2 × r = 2 × 2.0 = 4 cm

20. How much concrete is required for the construction of the path shown, if the path is 12 cm

thick?

1 2
   2 
Area of path = (8.5 × 2) +  4  + (3.1 × 2) + (2.4 × [2 + 1.2])

2
= 17 + 3.1416 + 6.2 + 7.68 = 34.022 m

If thickness of path = 12 cm = 0.12 m then

3
Concrete required = volume of path = 34.022 × 0.12 = 4.08 m

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 441

EXERCISE 106 Page 279

1. If a cone has a diameter of 80 mm and a perpendicular height of 120 mm, calculate its volume in

cm3 and its curved surface area.

1 2 1
 r h    40   120 
2
3
= 201061.9 mm = 201.1 cm
3
Volume of cone = 3 3

From diagram below, slant height, l =

 12 2
 42 
= 12.649 cm

2
Curved surface area =  r l = (4)(12.649) = 159.0 cm

2. A square pyramid has a perpendicular height of 4 cm. If a side of the base is 2.4 cm long find the

volume and total surface area of the pyramid.

A sketch of the pyramid is shown below.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 442

 1
 2.4  2.4   4  3
Volume of pyramid = 3 = 7.68 cm

In the sketch, AB = 4 cm and BC = 2.4/2 = 1.2 cm.

Length AC =
4 2
 1.2 2 
= 4.176 cm
1
 2.4   4.176  2
Hence, area of a side = 2 = 5.01 cm

4  5.01   2.4 
2
2
Total surface area of pyramid = = 25.81 cm

3. A sphere has a diameter of 6 cm. Determine its volume and surface area.

3
4 3 4 6
r    
3 3  2  = 113.1 cm 3
Volume of sphere =
2
6
4r 2  4  
Surface are of sphere =  2  = 113.1 cm 2

4. If the volume of a sphere is 566 cm3, find its radius.

4 3 4 3
r r
Volume of sphere = 3 hence, 566 = 3
3  566
r3   135.12255
from which, 4

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 443

 3
and radius, r = 135.12255 = 5.131 cm

3
5. A pyramid having a square base has a perpendicular height of 25 cm and a volume of 75 cm .

Determine, in centimetres, the length of each side of the base.

1 1
 A  h  x2h
If each side of base = x cm then volume of pyramid = 3 3
1 2 3  75
x (25) x2 
i.e. 75 = 3 and 25 = 9

from which, length of each side of base = 9 = 3 cm

6. A cone has a base diameter of 16 mm and a perpendicular height of 40 mm. Find its volume

correct to the nearest cubic millimetre.

2
1 2 1  16 
r h      40 
Volume of cone = 3 3  2 3
= 2681 mm

7. Determine (a) the volume, and (b) the surface area of a sphere of radius 40 mm.

4 3 4
r    40 
3
3
= 268,083 mm or 268.083 cm
3
3 3
(a) Volume of sphere =

4r 2  4  40 
2
2
or 201.06 cm
2
(b) Surface are of sphere = = 20,106 mm

8. The volume of a sphere is 325 cm3. Determine its diameter.

3
4 3 4 d
r    
Volume of sphere = 3 3 2

3 3
4 d  d  3  325
    
Hence, 325 = 3  2  from which,  2  4

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 444

 d 3 3  325

and 2 4 = 4.265 cm and diameter, d = 2 × 4.265 = 8.53 cm

9. Given the radius of the earth is 6380 km, calculate, in engineering notation (a) its surface area in
km 2 and (b) its volume in km3 .

4r 2  4  6380 
2

= 512  10 km
6 2
(a) Surface are of earth =

4 3 4
r    6380 
3

= 1.09  10 km
12 3
3 3
(b) Volume of earth =

3
10. An ingot whose volume is 1.5 m is to be made into ball bearings whose radii are 8.0 cm. How

many bearings will be produced from the ingot, assuming 5% wastage?

4 3 4
r    8 
3

Volume of one ball bearing = 3 3 Let number of ball bearings = x

106 cm3
Volume of x bearings = 0.95 × 1.5 ×

4
  8  [x]
3
6
Hence, 0.95 × 1.5 × 10 = 3

0.95 1.5 106  3

from which, number of bearings, x = 4 83 = 664

11. A spherical chemical storage tank has an internal diameter of 5.6 m. Calculate the storage

3
capacity of the tank, correct to the nearest cubic metre. If 1 litre = 1000 cm , determine the tank

capacity in litres.

3
4 3 4  5.6 
r    
storage tank = 3 3  2  = 91.95 = 92 m 3 , correct to the nearest cubic metre
Volume of

Volume of tank = 92 10 cm

6 3

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 445

 92  106
3
If 1 litre = 1000 cm , then capacity of storage tank = 1000 litres = 92,000 litres

EXERCISE 107 Page 284

1. Find the total surface area of a hemisphere of diameter 50 mm.

1
 r 2   4 r 2    r 2  2 r 2  3 r 2
Total surface area = 2
2
 50 
3  
=  2  = 5890 mm or 58.90 cm
2 2

2. Find (a) the volume, and (b) the total surface area of a hemisphere of diameter 6 cm.

1
Volume of hemisphere = 2 (volume of sphere)

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 446

 3
2 2  6.0 
 
= 3 r3 = 3   2  = 56.55 cm3
Total surface area = curved surface area + area of circle
1
= 2 (surface area of sphere) + r2
2
1  6.0 
 
= 2 (4r ) + r2 = 2r2 + r2 = 3r2 = 3  2 
2

= 84.82 cm2

3. Determine the mass of a hemispherical copper container whose external and internal radii are

12 cm and 10 cm, assuming that 1 cm3 of copper weighs 8.9 g.

2 3 2
 r   123  103  cm3
Volume of hemisphere = 3 3

2
 123  103  cm 3  8.9 g / cm 3
Mass of copper = volume  density = 3 = 13570 g = 13.57 kg

4. A metal plumb bob comprises a hemisphere surmounted by a cone. If the diameter of the

hemisphere and cone are each 4 cm and the total length is 5 cm, find its total volume.

The plumb bob is shown sketched below.

1 2 2 1 2
 r h   r3    2  5  2    2
2 3

Volume of bob = 3 3 3 3

16
4  
= 3 = 29.32 cm 3

5. A marquee is in the form of a cylinder surmounted by a cone. The total height is 6 m and the

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 447

 cylindrical portion has a height of 3.5 m, with a diameter of 15 m. Calculate the surface area of

material needed to make the marquee assuming 12% of the material is wasted in the process

The marquee is shown sketched below.

Surface area of material for marquee =  r l  2 r h where l =

 7.5 2
 2.52 
= 7.9057 m

Hence, surface area = (7.5)(7.9057) + 2(7.5)(3.5)

2
= 186.2735 + 164.9336 = 351.2071 m

2
If 12% of material is wasted then amount required = 1.12  351.2071 = 393.4 m

6. Determine (a) the volume and (b) the total surface area of the following solids:

(i) a cone of radius 8.0 cm and perpendicular height 10 cm

(ii) a sphere of diameter 7.0 cm
(iii) a hemisphere of radius 3.0 cm
(iv) a 2.5 cm by 2.5 cm square pyramid of perpendicular height 5.0 cm
(v) a 4.0 cm by 6.0 cm rectangular pyramid of perpendicular height 12.0 cm
(vi) a 4.2 cm by 4.2 cm square pyramid whose sloping edges are each 15.0 cm
(vii) a pyramid having an octagonal base of side 5.0 cm and perpendicular height 20 cm

(i) A sketch of the cone is shown below.

1 2 1
 r h    8.0   10 
2
3
(a) Volume of cone = 3 3 = 670 cm
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 448
 (b) Total surface area =  r   r l
2
where l =
 10 2
 8.02 
= 12.80625 cm

  8.0     8.0   12.80625 

2

2
= 201.062 + 321.856 = 523 cm

3
4  7.0 
 
(ii) (a) Volume of sphere = 3  2  = 180 cm
3

2
 7.0 
4  r 2  4  
(b) Surface area =  2  = 154 cm 2

2 3 2
 r    3.0 
3
3
(iii) (a) Volume of hemisphere = 3 3 = 56.5 cm
1
(4 r 2 )   r 2  3 r 2  3  3.0 
2
2
(b) Surface area = 2 = 84.8 cm

(iv) A sketch of the square pyramid is shown below, where AB = 5.0 cm

1
 2.5  5.0 
2
3
(a) Volume of pyramid = 3 = 10.4 cm

(b) In the diagram, AC =

 AB 2
 BC 2    5.0 2
 1.252 
= 5.15388
1 
 2.5
2
 4   2.5  5.15388
Surface area = 2  = 6.25 + 25.7694 = 32.0 cm 2

(v) A sketch of the rectangular pyramid is shown below.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 449

 1
 6.0  4.0   12.0  3
(a) Volume of rectangular pyramid = 3 = 96.0 cm

(b) In the diagram, AC =

 12.0 2
 3.0 2 
= 12.3693 cm

and AD =
 12.0 2
 2.0 2 
= 12.1655 cm

 6.0  4.0   2   1 
1
 4.0 12.3696   2   6.0 12.1655
Hence, surface area = 2  2 

2
= 24 + 49.4784 + 72.993 = 146 cm

(vi) The square pyramid is shown sketched below.

1
Diagonal on base =
 4.2 2
 4.22   5.9397
cm hence, BC = 2
 5.9397
= 2.96985 cm

Hence, perpendicular height, h =

 15.0 2
 2.969852 
= 14.703 cm
1
 4.2   14.703
2
3
(a) Volume of pyramid = 3 = 86.5 cm

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 450

 (b) AD =
 14.703
2
 2.12 
= 14.8522
1 
 4.2 
2
 4   4.2 14.8522 
Hence, surface area = 2  = 17.64 + 124.75858
2
= 142 cm

(vii) A pyramid having an octagonal base is shown sketched below.

2.5
tan 22.5 
One sector is shown in diagram (p) below, where x
2.5
from which, x = tan 22.5 = 6.0355 cm
1 
8   5.0  6.0355
Hence, area of whole base =  2  = 120.71 cm 2

1
 120.71  20  3
(a) Volume of pyramid = 3 = 805 cm

(p) (q)

(b) From diagram (q) above, y =

 20 2
 6.03552 
= 20.891 cm

1 
8   5.0  20.891
Total surface area = 120.71 +  2  = 120.71 + 417.817

2
= 539 cm
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 451
7. A metal sphere weighing 24 kg is melted down and recast into a solid cone of base radius 8.0 cm.

If the density of the metal is 8000 kg/m3 determine (a) the diameter of the metal sphere and (b) the

perpendicular height of the cone, assuming that 15% of the metal is lost in the process.

mass 24 kg
 3
 0.003m3  0.003  106 cm3
Volume of sphere = density 8000 kg / m
3
= 3000 cm
4 3 4 3
r r
(a) Volume of sphere = 3 i.e. 3000 = 3

 3000  3 
3
 
and radius, r =  4  = 8.947 cm

Hence, the diameter of the sphere, d = 2r = 2  8.947 = 17.9 cm

1 2 1
 r h    8.0  h
2
3
(b) Volume of cone = 0.85  3000 = 2550 cm = 3 3
2550  3
  8.0 
2

from which, perpendicular height of cone, h = = 38.0 cm

8. Find the volume of a regular hexagonal pyramid if the perpendicular height is 16.0 cm and the

side of base is 3.0 cm

The hexagonal base is shown sketched below.

1.5 1.5
From the diagram, tan 30 = h from which, h = tan 30 = 2.598 cm

1 
6   3.0  2.598
Hence, area of hexagonal base =  2  = 23.3827 cm 2

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 452

 1
 23.3827   16.0  3
and volume of hexagonal pyramid = 3 = 125 cm

9. A buoy consists of a hemisphere surmounted by a cone. The diameter of the cone and hemisphere

is 2.5 m and the slant height of the cone is 4.0 m. Determine the volume and surface area of the

buoy.

The buoy is shown in the sketch below.

Height of cone, h =
 4.0 2
 1.252 
= 3.80 m.

2 3 1 2 2 1
 r   r h    1.25     1.25   3.80 
3 2

Volume of buoy = 3 3 3 3

3
= 4.0906 + 6.2177 = 10.3 m

1
rl
2
 4 r 2     1.25   4.0   2  1.25 
2

Surface area =

2
= 5 + 3.125 = 8.125 = 25.5 m

10. A petrol container is in the form of a central cylindrical portion 5.0 m long with a hemispherical

section surmounted on each end. If the diameters of the hemisphere and cylinder are both 1.2 m

determine the capacity of the tank in litres (1 litre = 1000 cm3).

The petrol container is shown sketched below.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 453

 2  4
2   r 3    r 2 h    0.6     0.6   5.0 
3 2

Volume of container =  3  3

3
= 0.288 + 1.8 = 6.55965 m

= 6.55965  10 cm
6 3

6.56 106 cm 3
3
and tank capacity = 1000 cm / litre = 6560 litres

11. The diagram below shows a metal rod section. Determine its volume and total surface area.

1 2 1
 r h  (l  b  w)    1.0   100   (2.5  2.0 100)
2

Volume of rod = 2 2

3
= 50 +500 = 657.1 cm

 2 r h   2   r 2   2  2.50  2.0   2  2.5 100    2.0 100 

1 1
Surface area = 2 2 

= (1.0)(100) +   
2
1.0  10  500  200

2
= 1027 cm

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 454

 3
12. Find the volume (in cm ) of the die-casting shown below. The dimensions are in millimetres.

1
100  60  25 
2
  302  50 
Volume =

3
= 150000 + 22500 = 220685.835 mm

3
= 220685.835 10 cm = 220.7 cm
3 3

13. The cross-section of part of a circular ventilation shaft is shown below, ends AB and CD being

open. Calculate (a) the volume of the air, correct to the nearest litre, contained in the part of the

3
system shown, neglecting the sheet metal thickness, (given 1 litre = 1000 cm ),

(b) the cross-sectional area of the sheet metal used to make the system, in square metres, and

(c) the cost of the sheet metal if the material costs £11.50 per square metre, assuming that 25%

extra metal is required due to wastage.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 455

 1  4  50  
2 3 2 2
 50   50   80 
    200             150       150 
3  2  4  3  2    2   2
(a) In cm , volume of air =

3
= 125000 + 5208.33 + 93750 + 240000 = 463958.33 cm

463958.33 cm3
3
= 1000 cm / litre = 1458 litre, correct to the nearest litre

2
(b) In m , cross-sectional area of the sheet metal

1
2  0.25   2    4  0.25    2  0.25   1.5   2  0.4   1.5     0.4 2  0.252 
2

= 4  

=  + 0.0625 + 0.75 + 1.2 + 0.0975

2 2
= 3.11 = 9.77035 m = 9.77 m correct to 3 significant figures.

2
(c) Sheet metal required = 9.77035  1.25 m

Cost of sheet metal = 9.77035  1.25  £11.50 = £140.45

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 456

EXERCISE 108 Page 288

1. The radii of the faces of a frustum of a cone are 2.0 cm and 4.0 cm and the thickness of the

frustum is 5.0 cm. Determine its volume and total surface area.

A sketch of a side view of the frustum is shown below.

1
 h  R 2  Rr  r 2 
Volume of frustum = 3

1 1
  5.0   4.02  (4.0)(2.0)  2.02     5.0   28.0  3
= 3 3 = 147 cm

From the diagram below, slant length, l =

 5.0 2
 2.02   29

 l  R  r    r2   R 2
Total surface area =

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 457

 =
  
29  4.0  2.0     2.0     4.0 
2 2

2
= 32.31 + 4 + 16 = 164 cm

2. A frustum of a pyramid has square ends, the squares having sides 9.0 cm and 5.0 cm, respectively.

Calculate the volume and total surface area of the frustum if the perpendicular distance between

its ends is 8.0 cm.

A side view of the frustum of the pyramid is shown below.

CG BH BH  8.0 
 (BG)   2.5   
By similar triangles: BG AH from which, height, CG = AH  2.0  = 10.0 cm

Height of complete pyramid = 10.0 + 8.0 = 18.0 cm

1
 9.0   18.0 
2
3
Volume of large pyramid = 3 = 486 cm
1
 5.0   10.0 
2
3
Volume of small triangle cut off = 3 = 83.33 cm
3
Hence, volume of frustum = 486 – 83.33 = 403 cm

A cross-section of the frustum is shown below.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 458

BC =
8 2
 22 
= 8.246 cm
1 
4   5.0  9.0   8.246    230.888 2
Area of 4 trapeziums =  2  cm

Total surface area of frustum = 9.0  5.0  230.888 = 337 cm

2 2 2

3. A cooling tower is in the form of a frustum of a cone. The base has a diameter of 32.0 m, the top

has a diameter of 14.0 m and the vertical height is 24.0 m. Calculate the volume of the tower and

the curved surface area.

A sketch of the cooling tower is shown below.

1
 h  R 2  Rr  r 2 
Volume of frustum = 3

1
  24.0   16.02  (16.0)(7.0)  7.02   8  417  3
= 3 = 10480 m

Slant length, l =
 AB 2
 BC 2    24.0 2
  16.0  7.0 
2
  25.632 m
 l (R  r)    25.632   16.0  7.0   599.54 2
Curved surface area = = 1852 m
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 459
4. A loudspeaker diaphragm is in the form of a frustum of a cone. If the end diameters are 28.0 cm

and 6.00 cm and the vertical distance between the ends is 30.0 cm, find the area of material

needed to cover the curved surface of the speaker.

A sketch of the loudspeaker diaphragm is shown below.

Slant length, l =
 AC 2
 AB2    30.0 2
  14.0  3.0 
2
  31.953cm
2
Curved surface area =  l (R + r) = (31.953)(14.0 + 3.0) = 1707 cm

5. A rectangular prism of metal having dimensions 4.3 cm by 7.2 cm by 12.4 cm is melted down and

recast into a frustum of a square pyramid, 10% of the metal being lost in the process. If the ends of

the frustum are squares of side 3 cm and 8 cm respectively, find the thickness of the frustum.

Volume of frustum of pyramid = 90% of volume of rectangular prism

3
= 0.9(4.3  7.2  12.4) = 345.514 cm .

A cross-section of the frustum of the square pyramid is shown below (not to scale).

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 460

 CG BH BH  h 
 (BG)   1.5   
By similar triangles: BG AH from which, height, CG = AH  2.5  = 0.6 h

1 2
 8  h  0.6h  3
Volume of large pyramid = 3 = 34.133h cm
1 2
 3  0.6 h  3
Volume of small triangle cut off = 3 = 1.8 h cm

Hence, 345.514 = 34.133 h – 1.8 h = 32.333 h

345.514
Thus, thickness of frustum, h = 32.333 = 10.69 cm

6. Determine the volume and total surface area of a bucket consisting of an inverted frustum of a

cone, of slant height 36.0 cm and end diameters 55.0 cm and 35.0 cm.

A sketch of the bucket is shown below.

Thickness of frustum, h =
 36.0 2
 (27.5  17.5)2 
= 34.5832 cm

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 461

 1
 h  R 2  Rr  r 2 
Volume of frustum = 3
1
  34.5832   27.52  (27.5)(17.5)  17.52  3
= 3 = 55910 cm correct to 4
significant figures.

 l  R  r    r2
Total surface area =

  36.0   27.5  17.5     17.5 

2

2
= 1620 + 306.25 = 1926.25 = 6051 cm

7. A cylindrical tank of diameter 2.0 m and perpendicular height 3.0 m is to be replaced by a tank of

the same capacity but in the form of a frustum of a cone. If the diameters of the ends of the

frustum are 1.0 m and 2.0 m, respectively, determine the vertical height required.

 r 2 h    1.0   3.0   3 m3
2

Volume of cylinder =

A sketch of the frustum of a cone is shown below.

1
 h  R 2  Rr  r 2 
Volume of frustum = 3 = 3
1 1
  h   1.02  (1.0)(0.5)  0.52    h  1.75 
= 3 3

3 9

1 1.75
  1.75 
from which, thickness of frustum = vertical height, h = 3 = 5.14 m

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 462

EXERCISE 109 Page 289

1. The diameter of two spherical bearings are in the ratio 2 : 5. What is the ratio of their volumes ?

Diameters are in the ratio 2:5

3 3
Hence, ratio of their volumes = 2 : 5 i.e. 8:125

2. An engineering component has a mass of 400 g. If each of its dimensions are reduced by 30%
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 463
 determine its new mass.

New mass = 
0.7 
3
 400  0.343  400
= 137.2 g

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 464