Year 11 - Maths
The surface area of a sphere
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 calculate the surface area of a sphere.
Key Notes
- There is a formula for the surface area of a sphere.
- Demonstration allows you to see that this formula works.
- The formula can be used to calculate a missing measurement when the surface area is known.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Sphere: A sphere is a 3D shape, where every point on its surface is equidistant from the centre.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may forget the constant '4' when calculating the surface area.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
There is a formula for the surface area of a sphere. Demonstration allows you to see that this formula works.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Sphere'
A sphere is a 3D shape, where every point on its surface is equidistant from the centre. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may forget the constant '4' when calculating the surface area. Correction: Show the demonstration of the formula of the surface area using a different spherical fruit to see that it is always 4 regardless of the size of the sphere. You can also relate it to the 1/2 in the formula of the area of triangle.
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 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 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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