Year 8 - Maths
Problem solving with perimeter, area and volume
Perimeter, area and volume
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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 extend their knowledge of shapes by exploring the properties of circles and composite shapes before developing understanding of 3-D shapes including surface area and volume.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use your knowledge of perimeter, area and volume to solve problems.
Key Notes
- The volume and surface area of shapes made from prisms and cylinders can be found.
- The volume and surface area of shapes made from parts of prisms and cylinders can be found.
- Unknown lengths can be found when surface area or volume are known.
- Volume and surface area can be used in context to solve problems.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Prism: polyhedron with a base that is a polygon and identical parallel opposite face whose corresponding edges are joined by parallelograms.
- Cylinder: 3D shape with a circle base and an identical parallel opposite face. Cross sections made parallel to the base will be congruent to the base.
- Surface area: the total area of all the surfaces of a closed 3D shape. The surfaces include all faces and any curved surfaces.
- Volume: the amount of space occupied by a closed 3D shape.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle to decide whether the question is needing length, area or volume.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
The volume and surface area of shapes made from prisms and cylinders can be found. The volume and surface area of shapes made from parts of prisms and cylinders can be found.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Prism'
polyhedron with a base that is a polygon and identical parallel opposite face whose corresponding edges are joined by parallelograms. 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 struggle to decide whether the question is needing length, area or volume. Correction: Support could be given by providing the units for the answer or pupils may be encouraged to think of contexts for each before hand.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Area of a circle Study Guide
- Area of composite shapes Study Guide
- Checking understanding of area Study Guide
- Checking understanding of perimeter Study Guide
- Circumference of a circle Study Guide
- Finding a length in composite shapes Study Guide
- Multiplicative relationships in circles Study Guide
- Perimeter of composite shapes Study Guide
- Properties of prisms Study Guide
- Surface area of cuboids Study Guide
- Surface area of cylinders Study Guide
- Surface area of prisms Study Guide
- Using the formula for the area of a circle Study Guide
- Volume of cylinders Study Guide
- Volume of prisms Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Maths guide library.