Year 11 - Maths
Checking and securing understanding of surface area of cuboids
2D and 3D shape: surface area and volume (pyramids, spheres and cones)
Study Hub
Study Guides
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 cubes and cuboids.
Key Notes
- The surface area of a solid is the sum of the area of all the faces.
- The net of a cuboid can help find the surface area.
- The surface area of a cuboid can be found without drawing the net.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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.
- Net: The net of a 3D object is a 2D representation of its surfaces that can be folded up into the 3D object.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- When working out the surface area, the pupil may only find the sum of the areas of three faces of a cuboid (for example the visible sides in a 3D drawing), instead of all six faces.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
The surface area of a solid is the sum of the area of all the faces. The net of a cuboid can help find the surface area.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. '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. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: When working out the surface area, the pupil may only find the sum of the areas of three faces of a cuboid (for example the visible sides in a 3D drawing), instead of all six faces. Correction: Encourage pupils to sketch the net of the cuboid as part of their solution. This will provide a visual reminder to the pupil to find the area of all six faces, as well as making it easier to check their answer.
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 a cylinder 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
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Maths guide library.