Solids, plans and elevations
8 exam-style questions, grades 1 to 4. Worked solutions and the marks are on the last page.
- Question 1
(a) How many edges does a triangular prism have?
- Question 2
A triangular prism has two triangular ends joined by rectangles.
(a) Write down the number of faces of a triangular prism.
(b) Write down the number of edges.
(c) Write down the number of vertices.
- Question 3
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.
(b) Work out the total surface area of the cuboid.
- Question 4
(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?
- Question 5
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.
(b) Find the volume in cubic units.
- Question 6
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.
(b) Describe the front elevation and give its dimensions.
(c) Work out the area of the front elevation.
- Question 7
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?
(b) Describe the plan view of the pyramid.
(c) The front elevation is an isosceles triangle. Work out its area.
- Question 8
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.
(b) Find the area of the front elevation in square centimetres.
(c) Find the volume in litres. Use 1000 cubic centimetres = 1 litre.
Worked solutions and marks
Question 1
(a)
- The two triangular faces each have 3 edges: 2 3 = 6.
- Three more edges join corresponding vertices, so 6 + 3 = 9.
- B1 Correct answer:
Question 2
(a) 5
- 2 triangles and 3 rectangles make 5 faces.
- B1 Correct answer: 5 faces.
(b) 9
- 3 edges on each triangle and 3 joining them: 9.
- B1 Correct answer: 9 edges.
(c) 6
- 3 corners on each triangular end: 6.
- B1 Correct answer: 6 vertices.
Question 3
(a)
- The plan gives length 4 cm and depth 3 cm; the front elevation gives height 2 cm.
- M1 Identifying the three dimensions 4, 3 and 2 and multiplying them.
- A1 .
(b)
- Three different faces: , , .
- Each appears twice.
- P1 Finding the areas of the three different faces.
- P1 Doubling the sum of the three areas.
- A1 .
Question 4
(a) unit squares
- In each column the front elevation shows the taller of the front and back stacks.
- The visible column heights are max(2,3) = 3, max(1,5) = 5 and max(4,2) = 4.
- Its area is 3 + 5 + 4 = 12 unit squares.
- P1 Establishing or an equivalent valid method.
- A1 Correct answer: unit squares
Question 5
(a)
- For each column use the taller of the front and back stacks.
- Therefore .
- M1 For each column use the taller of the front and back stacks.
- A1 Correct answer:
(b)
- Add the heights of all six stacks.
- Therefore .
- M1 Add the heights of all six stacks.
- A1 Correct answer:
Question 6
(a) A circle
- A circle.
- B1 Correct answer: A circle
(b) A rectangle 6 cm wide and 10 cm tall.
- 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) cm²
- Multiply the diameter by the height.
- Therefore cm².
- M1 Multiply the diameter by the height.
- A1 Correct answer: cm²
Question 7
(a)
- Therefore .
- B1 Correct answer:
(b) A 6 cm square with both diagonals drawn; they meet at the centre, directly below the apex.
- 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) cm²
- Use base 6 cm and height 4 cm.
- Therefore cm².
- M1 Use base 6 cm and height 4 cm.
- A1 Correct answer: cm²
Question 8
(a) A rectangle
- A rectangle.
- B1 Correct answer: A rectangle
(b) cm²
- Convert both visible lengths to centimetres.
- Multiply the front width by the height, not the depth.
- Therefore cm².
- P1 Convert both visible lengths to centimetres.
- P1 Multiply the front width by the height, not the depth.
- A1 Correct answer: cm²
(c) litres
- Multiply the three centimetre dimensions, then convert volume units.
- Therefore litres.
- P1 Multiply the three centimetre dimensions, then convert volume units.
- A1 Correct answer: litres