LET’S LEARN!

Lesson 8: Solid for which V = 𝟏 Bh

𝟑

𝟏
In this lesson, we will be dealing with solids where the volume, V = base x height. The
𝟑
application involves computing the volume and surface of pyramids and cones.

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Define pyramids and right circular cones.

2. Calculate the surface area and volume of pyramids and cones.
3. Solve real life problems involving these types of three-dimensional figures.
LET’S READ!

Historical Notes

Pyramids have been of interest from antiquity, most notably because the ancient Egyptians
constructed monuments in the shape of square based pyramids several thousand years ago.

Conical drinking cups and storage vessels have also been found in several early civilizations,
confirming the fact that the cone is also a shape of great antiquity, interest and application.

Conical and pyramidal shapes are often used, generally in a truncated form, to store grain and
other commodities. Similarly, a silo in the form of a cylinder, sometimes with a cone on the
bottom is often used as a place of storage. Calculating the volume and surface area of these
solids are of utmost importance in designing such storage.

PYRAMID

A pyramid is a polyhedron of which one face, called the base, is a polygon of

any number of sides and the other faces are triangles which have a common
vertex.

Properties

1. The triangular faces are called lateral faces

.
2. The altitude of a pyramid is the length of the perpendicular dropped
from the vertex to the plane of the base.
3. If a pyramid is cut by a plane parallel to the base, the lateral edges and
the altitude are divided proportionally; the section is a polygon similar
to the base; and the areas of two such sections are to each other as
the squares of their distances from the vertex. The base itself may be
considered one of the sections in question.
2
In symbols we write 𝑋 = X
𝐵 h2

4. If two pyramids have equal bases and equal altitudes, by Property 3,

we can show that the area of the section of one pyramid parallel to
the base is equal to the area of the corresponding section of the other.
Hence in accordance with Cavalieri’s theorem the two pyramids are
equivalent.

RIGHT CIRCULAR CONE

Definition

A right circular cone is a circular cone whose axis is perpendicular to its base.

Properties

1. The Slant height of a right circular cone is the length of an element.

2. The altitude of a right circular cone is the distance between the vertex
and the center of the circle which forms its base.
3. A right circular cone is a solid generated by rotating a right triangle
about one of its legs as an axis; the surface generated by the hypotenuse
of the triangle is the lateral area of the cone, and the area of the base of
the cone is the surface generated by the leg which is not the axis of
rotation.
4. All elements of a right circular cone are equal
5. A section of a right circular cone parallel to the base is a circle whose
center is on the axis of the cone.
6. A section of a right circular cone which contains the vertex and two
points of the base is an isosceles triangle.

STUDY AND REMEMBER THESE!

Table 3: Formulas relating to solids for which V = 𝟏 Bh

𝟑

Pyramid

1
𝐿𝑆𝐴 = 𝑃ℓ 𝑇𝑆𝐴 = 𝐵 + 𝐿𝑆𝐴
2
1
𝑉 = 𝐵ℎ
l h 3

where:

B ℓ: slant height
P: perimeter of the base

Right Circular Cone

𝐿𝑆𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟ℓ
𝑇𝑆𝐴 = 𝐵 + 𝐿𝑆𝐴
l h 1
𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟2ℎ
B r
SAMPLE PROBLEMS

How was the video tutorial? Do you think you got the hang of it now or you
feel that you might need a little more of practice?

If you’re still having confusions about it, you do not need to pressure yourself
to learn it all at once. Here are more sample problems and their solutions to get you
going.

Example 1: The square-based pyramid A is inscribed within a cube while the

tetrahedral pyramid B has its sides equal to the square's diagonal (red) as shown.

Which pyramid has more volume?

Solution:
Let x = one side of the cube
d = diagonal of the cube = side of tetrahedron
Then d = √𝑥2 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥2 = 𝑥√3
The volume of the pyramid inscribed within the cube is
1
Vp = 1 (𝑥2)(𝑥) = 𝑥3 = 0.333𝑥3
3 3

A regular tetrahedron is one in which all four faces are equilateral triangles.

The volume of a regular tetrahedron of side d is

3
𝑑3 (𝑥√3)
Vt = 6 = = 0.612𝑥3
√2 6√2

The tetrahedron has more volume than the inscribed pyramid Answer

Example 2: There are two identical right circular cones each of height 2 cm. They
are placed vertically, with their apex pointing downwards, and one cone is vertically
above the other. At the start, the upper cone is full of water and the lower cone is
empty. Water drips down through a hole in the apex of the upper cone into the lower
cone. When the height of water in the upper cone is 1 cm, what is the height of water
in the lower cone (in cm)?

Solution:
Assume that the two cones have base diameters equal to x cm
When the water in the upper cone has a height of 1cm, the volume of water that had
dripped is equal to the total volume of the cone minus the volume of water
remaining.
x
1 cm
z
1cm

Let z = diameter of water surface

` Vt = total volume of cone
Vw = volume of water
𝑥3 23
Solving for z: 𝑉𝑡 = = , we have z = 0.5x
𝑉𝑤 𝑧3 13

1 𝜋
And 𝑉𝑤 = ( ) (0.5𝑥)2 (1) = 0.065x2
3 4

Then, the volume that had dripped out is

Vt – Vw = 1 (𝜋 ) (𝑥)2 (2) – 0.065x2 = 0.46 x2
3 4

Let y = height of water in the lower cone

l = diameter of water surface in the lower cone
x

l
y

Using proportion, l = (y)(x/2)

Therefore, 1
(𝜋 )(𝑙)2 (𝑦) = 0.46x2
3 4
1
And ( 𝜋) (yx/2))2 (𝑦) = 0.46x2
3 4

Solving for y: y = 1.92cm Answer

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

Practice Exercises 8.1: Pyramid

Instruction:
Solve the following problems. Use separate sheets of paper for your solutions if the space
provided for after each question is not enough. Each problem will be scored five(5) points.
Point system will be based on the rubrics attached on this module. Answers for this activity
will be posted in the assignment of our Moodle class.

Name : Date :
Schedule:

Problems

1. If there are 11 cu. ft. in a bushel, what is the capacity (in bushels) of a
4
hopper in the shape of an inverted pyramid 12 ft. deep and 8 ft.
square at the top?
2. The regular pyramidal roof of the Washington Monument is 55 ft.
high and has a base which is a square 35 ft. 2 in. on a side. The
marble slabs of which it is built weigh 165 lb. per cu. ft. if the room
covered by the roof is a pyramid whose square base is 34 ft. on a side
and 54 ft. high, what is the weight of the roof? (Neglect the six small
windows.
3. Find the area of the base of a regular square pyramid whose lateral
faces are equilateral triangles and whose altitude is 8 in.
Practice Exercises 8.2: RIGHT CIRCULAR CONE

Instruction:
Solve the following problems. Use separate sheets of paper for your solutions. Each
problem will be scored five(5) points. Point system will be based on the rubric.

Name : Date :
Schedule:

Problems

1. How many square yards of canvas will be required to make a conical

tent 15 ft. high and 18 ft. in diameter, if 10 percent of material is
wasted?
2. A cylindrical tower 30 ft. in diameter has a conical roof the length of
whose eaves is 2 ft. An element of the roof is inclined 45o to the
horizontal. Find the weather surface (see figure)
3. Two vertical conical tanks (both inverted) have their vertices
connected by a short horizontal pipe. One tank, initially full of water,
has an altitude of 6 ft. and a diameter of base 7 ft. the other, initially
empty, has an altitude of 9 ft. and a diameter of base 8 ft. If the water
is allowed to flow through the connecting pipe, find the level to
which the water will ultimately rise in the empty tank. (Neglect the
water in the pipe.)