Worksheets · Foundation and Higher

Solids, plans and elevations

8 exam-style questions, grades 1 to 4. Worked solutions and the marks are on the last page.

  1. Question 1Non-calculator · 1 mark

    (a) How many edges does a triangular prism have? (1)

  2. Question 2Non-calculator · 3 marks

    A triangular prism has two triangular ends joined by rectangles.

    (a) Write down the number of faces of a triangular prism. (1)

    (b) Write down the number of edges. (1)

    (c) Write down the number of vertices. (1)

  3. Question 3Non-calculator · 5 marks

    The plan of a solid cuboid is a rectangle 4 cm by 3 cm. Its front elevation is a rectangle 4 cm by 2 cm.

    (a) Work out the volume of the cuboid. (2)

    (b) Work out the total surface area of the cuboid. (3)

  4. Question 4Non-calculator · 2 marks

    (a) A solid is made from unit cubes in six stacks on a 3-column by 2-row rectangular base. From left to right, the front-row stack heights are 2, 1 and 4 cubes; the back-row heights are 3, 5 and 2 cubes. There are no gaps inside any stack. How many unit squares are in the front elevation? (2)

  5. Question 5Non-calculator · 4 marks

    A solid is made of unit cubes in six stacks on a three-column, two-row base. Front-row heights from left to right are 2, 1, 3. Back-row heights are 2, 4, 1. All stacks are full with no gaps.

    (a) Find the number of unit squares visible in the front elevation. (2)

    (b) Find the volume in cubic units. (2)

  6. Question 6Non-calculator · 4 marks

    A cylinder has radius 3 cm and height 10 cm. It stands on its circular base.

    (a) Which shape is the plan of the cylinder? Select one answer. (1)

    1. A circle
    2. A rectangle
    3. A square
    4. A semicircle

    (b) Describe the front elevation and give its dimensions. (1)

    (c) Work out the area of the front elevation. (2)

  7. Question 7Non-calculator · 4 marks

    A pyramid has a square base 6 cm by 6 cm. Its apex is directly above the centre of the base, at a height of 4 cm.

    (a) How many edges does the pyramid have? (1)

    (b) Describe the plan view of the pyramid. (1)

    (c) The front elevation is an isosceles triangle. Work out its area. (2)

  8. Question 8Non-calculator · 6 marks

    A cuboid has front width 1.2 m, height 0.75 m and depth 40 cm. Its front face is viewed straight on.

    (a) Which shape is the front elevation? Select one answer. (1)

    1. A rectangle
    2. A cuboid
    3. A square
    4. A triangle

    (b) Find the area of the front elevation in square centimetres. (3)

    (c) Find the volume in litres. Use 1000 cubic centimetres = 1 litre. (2)

Worked solutions and marks

Question 1

(a) 99

  1. The two triangular faces each have 3 edges: 2 ×\times 3 = 6.
  2. Three more edges join corresponding vertices, so 6 + 3 = 9.
  • B1 Correct answer: 99

Question 2

(a) 5

  1. 2 triangles and 3 rectangles make 5 faces.
  • B1 Correct answer: 5 faces.

(b) 9

  1. 3 edges on each triangle and 3 joining them: 9.
  • B1 Correct answer: 9 edges.

(c) 6

  1. 3 corners on each triangular end: 6.
  • B1 Correct answer: 6 vertices.

Question 3

(a) 24 cm324\text{ cm}^3

  1. The plan gives length 4 cm and depth 3 cm; the front elevation gives height 2 cm.
  2. 4×3×2=244 \times 3 \times 2 = 24
  • M1 Identifying the three dimensions 4, 3 and 2 and multiplying them.
  • A1 24 cm324\text{ cm}^3.

(b) 52 cm252\text{ cm}^2

  1. Three different faces: 4×3=124 \times 3 = 12, 4×2=84 \times 2 = 8, 3×2=63 \times 2 = 6.
  2. Each appears twice.
    2(12+8+6)=522(12 + 8 + 6) = 52
  • P1 Finding the areas of the three different faces.
  • P1 Doubling the sum of the three areas.
  • A1 52 cm252\text{ cm}^2.

Question 4

(a) 1212 unit squares

  1. 3+5+43+5+4
  2. In each column the front elevation shows the taller of the front and back stacks.
  3. The visible column heights are max(2,3) = 3, max(1,5) = 5 and max(4,2) = 4.
  4. Its area is 3 + 5 + 4 = 12 unit squares.
  • P1 Establishing 3+5+43+5+4 or an equivalent valid method.
  • A1 Correct answer: 1212 unit squares

Question 5

(a) 99

  1. For each column use the taller of the front and back stacks.
    2+4+32+4+3
  2. Therefore 99.
  • M1 For each column use the taller of the front and back stacks.
  • A1 Correct answer: 99

(b) 1313

  1. Add the heights of all six stacks.
    2+1+3+2+4+12+1+3+2+4+1
  2. Therefore 1313.
  • M1 Add the heights of all six stacks.
  • A1 Correct answer: 1313

Question 6

(a) A circle

  1. A circle.
  • B1 Correct answer: A circle

(b) A rectangle 6 cm wide and 10 cm tall.

  1. A rectangle 6 cm wide and 10 cm tall.
  • C1 Correct conclusion with supporting reasoning: A rectangle 6 cm wide and 10 cm tall.

(c) 6060 cm²

  1. Multiply the diameter by the height.
    6×106\times 10
  2. Therefore 6060 cm².
  • M1 Multiply the diameter by the height.
  • A1 Correct answer: 6060 cm²

Question 7

(a) 88

  1. Therefore 88.
  • B1 Correct answer: 88

(b) A 6 cm square with both diagonals drawn; they meet at the centre, directly below the apex.

  1. A 6 cm square with both diagonals drawn; they meet at the centre, directly below the apex.
  • C1 Correct conclusion with supporting reasoning: A 6 cm square with both diagonals drawn; they meet at the centre, directly below the apex.

(c) 1212 cm²

  1. Use base 6 cm and height 4 cm.
    6×4/26\times 4/2
  2. Therefore 1212 cm².
  • M1 Use base 6 cm and height 4 cm.
  • A1 Correct answer: 1212 cm²

Question 8

(a) A rectangle

  1. A rectangle.
  • B1 Correct answer: A rectangle

(b) 90009000 cm²

  1. Convert both visible lengths to centimetres.
    1.2×100=1201.2\times 100=120
  2. Multiply the front width by the height, not the depth.
    120×75120\times 75
  3. Therefore 90009000 cm².
  • P1 Convert both visible lengths to centimetres.
  • P1 Multiply the front width by the height, not the depth.
  • A1 Correct answer: 90009000 cm²

(c) 360360 litres

  1. Multiply the three centimetre dimensions, then convert volume units.
    120×75×40/1000120\times 75\times 40/1000
  2. Therefore 360360 litres.
  • P1 Multiply the three centimetre dimensions, then convert volume units.
  • A1 Correct answer: 360360 litres

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Solids, plans and elevations

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Independent practice for Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1), not endorsed by Pearson.

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