Frustums

Frustum of a pyramid (or cone) is a portion of pyramid (or cone) included

between the base and the section parallel to the base not passing through the
vertex.

Formula for Volume of a Frustum

The volume of a frustum is equal to one-third the product of the altitude and the
sum of the upper base, the lower base, and the mean proportional between the
bases. In symbols
ℎ
𝑉 = (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + √𝐴1𝐴2 )
3
Frustum of a Regular Pyramid

Frustum of a regular pyramid is a portion of right regular pyramid included

between the base and a section parallel to the base.

Properties of a Frustum of Regular Pyramid

 The slant height of a frustum of a regular pyramid is the altitude of the
face.
 The lateral edges of a frustum of a regular pyramid are equal, and the
faces are equal isosceles trapezoids.
 The bases of a frustum of a regular pyramid are similar regular polygons.
If these polygons become equal, the frustum will become prism.

Elements of a Frustum of Regular Pyramid

a = upper base edge
b = lower base edge
e = lateral edge
h = altitude
L = slant height
A1 = area of lower base
A2 = area of upper base
n = number of lower base edges

Formulas for Frustum of a Regular Pyramid

Area of Bases, A1 and A2
Volume
ℎ
𝑉= (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + √𝐴1𝐴2 )
3
Lateral Area, AL
The lateral area of frustum of regular pyramid is equal to one-half the sum of the
perimeters of the bases multiplied by the slant height.
1
𝐴L = 𝑛(𝑎 + 𝑏)𝐿
2
The relationship between slant height L, lower base edge b, upper base edge a,
and lateral edge e, of the frustum of regular pyramid is given by

(𝑏 − 𝑎)2 + 4𝐿2 = 4𝑒2

Examples:

1. The frustum of a rectangular pyramid has an upper base of 8 m x 80 m, a

lower base of 10 m x 100 m, and an altitude of 5 m. Find the volume of the
frustum.
ℎ
𝑉= (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + √𝐴1𝐴2)
3
5
𝑉= (8 ∗ 80 + 10 ∗ 100 + √8 ∗ 80 ∗ 10 ∗ 100)
3
= 𝟒𝟎𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝟑

2. A block of granite is in the form of the frustum of a regular square pyramid

whose upper and lower base edges are 3ft and 7ft, respectively. If each of the
lateral faces is inclined at an angle of 62˚30’ to the base, find the volume of
granite in the block.

𝐴1 = 𝑎2 = 32 = 9𝑓𝑡2

𝐴2 = 𝑏2 = 72 = 49𝑓𝑡2
ℎ
𝑉= (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 +
√𝐴1𝐴2) 3

Since Altitude h is not given, compute it using the angle given.

ℎ
tan 62°30' =
2
ℎ = 2 (tan 62°30')

ℎ = 3.842 𝑓𝑡
 3.842
𝑉= (9 + 49 + √9(49))
3
𝑽 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟏𝟕𝟐𝟕 𝒇𝒕𝟑

3. A square pyramid 12m high is cut 8m from the vertex to form a frustum of a
pyramid with a volume of 190 cu. m. Find the side of the base of the frustum of a
pyramid.

Volume of the frustrum of pyramid = 190 cu.m

Height of the pyramid = 12m

Height of the frustrum of the pyramid = 4m

OC = 8m

By similar figures,
𝐴𝐵
= 𝑂𝐴
𝐶𝐷 𝑂𝐶
𝑎/
2 = 12
𝑏/2 8
𝑎
= 3
𝑏
2
2𝑎
𝑏=
3
ℎ
𝑉 = (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + √𝐴1𝐴2)
3
4
190 = (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + √𝑎2𝑏2)
3
4 2𝑎
190 = (𝑎2 + ( )2 + 𝑎𝑏)
3 3
4 2𝑎2

190 = (𝑎2 + 2𝑎 )2 + )
3 3
(
3
4
4𝑎2 2𝑎
2

190 = (𝑎2 + )
9 3
+
3
 4 19𝑎2
190 = ( )
3 9
76𝑎2
190 =
27
5130 = 76𝑎2

𝒂 = 𝟖. 𝟐𝟏𝟓𝟖𝒎

4. Find the volume and the total surface area of a frustrum of a pyramid; the end
being pentagon of sides 8.6m and 4.8m respectively and the thickness of the
frustum of a pyramid is 5m.

𝑛𝑎2
𝐴1 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛 = 180
4tan ( )
𝑛
(5)(8.6)2
𝐴1 = 180
4tan ( )
5
𝐴1 = 127.2465 𝑚2

𝑛𝑎2
𝐴2 = 180
4tan ( 𝑛 )

(5)(4.8)2
𝐴2 = 180
4tan ( )
5
𝐴2 = 39.6398 𝑚2
ℎ
𝑉= (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + √𝐴1𝐴2)
3
5
𝑉= (127.2465 + 39.6398 + √(127.2465)(39.6398))
3
𝑽 = 𝟑𝟗𝟔. 𝟓𝟏𝟐𝟕 𝒎𝟑
1
𝐴L = 𝑛(𝑎 + 𝑏)𝐿
2
1
𝐴L = 5(8.6 + 4.8)𝐿
2
Slant height L is missing, solve. (watch the video)

𝐿 = 5.6426 𝑚
1
𝐴L = 5(8.6 + 4.8)(5.6426)
2
𝐴L = 189.0271 𝑚2

𝑇𝑆𝐴 = 𝐴L + 𝐴1 + 𝐴2

𝑇𝑆𝐴 = 189.0271 + 127.2465 + 39.6398

𝑻𝑺𝑨 = 𝟑𝟓𝟓. 𝟗𝟏𝟑𝟒𝒎𝟐