Year 11 - Maths
Checking and securing understanding of surface area of a cylinder
2D and 3D shape: surface area and volume (pyramids, spheres and cones)
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils will further develop their understanding of shapes by considering the surface area and volume of pyramids, spheres and cones.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to efficiently calculate the surface area of a cylinder.
Key Notes
- Drawing the net of a cylinder helps deduce the formula for the surface area.
- The formula can be used to find the surface area of any cylinder.
- Unknown lengths can be found when the surface area is known.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Cylinder: A cylinder is a 3D shape with a base that is a circle and a parallel opposite face that is identical. A cross-section of a cylinder made parallel to the base will be congruent to the base.
- Surface area: The surface area is the total area of all the surfaces of a closed 3D shape. The surfaces include all faces and any curved surfaces.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils can make errors if given the dimensions/measurements of the cylinder using different units (for example the radius is given in cm and the length in m).
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Drawing the net of a cylinder helps deduce the formula for the surface area. The formula can be used to find the surface area of any cylinder.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Cylinder'
A cylinder is a 3D shape with a base that is a circle and a parallel opposite face that is identical. A cross-section of a cylinder made parallel to the base will be congruent to the base. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils can make errors if given the dimensions/measurements of the cylinder using different units (for example the radius is given in cm and the length in m). Correction: Remind pupils to convert all measurements to the same unit (such as cm or m) before starting the calculation. Usually there is a prompt in the question to use as a guide, for example give your answer in square centimetres.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Advanced problem solving with further surface area and volume Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of nets of solids Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of surface area of cuboids Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of surface area of other prisms Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of volume of a cylinder Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of volume of prisms Study Guide
- Forming equations involving complex shape calculations Study Guide
- Problem solving with further surface area and volume Study Guide
- Surface area of a frustum of a cone Study Guide
- Surface area of composite solids Study Guide
- The surface area of a cone Study Guide
- The surface area of a pyramid Study Guide
- The surface area of a sphere Study Guide
- The volume of a cone Study Guide
- The volume of a pyramid Study Guide
- The volume of a sphere Study Guide
- Volume of a frustum of a cone Study Guide
- Volume of composite solids Study Guide
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