MATHSLIVE.ie
Need to Know
Need to Know

Area & Volume

The rules you must have ready for the exam.

How to use this: say each rule in your head, then tap Show me to check.

Area & perimeter

5 rules
Rule 01

Rectangle

Area = length × width. Perimeter = 2(length + width).

Rule 02

Triangle

Area = ½ × base × perpendicular height.

Rule 03

Circle

Area = πr². Circumference = 2πr (or πd). If the radius is a multiple of 7, use π = 22/7.

Rule 04

Sector

A sector is a slice. Area = (θ/360)πr²; arc length = (θ/360)×2πr.

Rule 05

Compound shapes

Split into shapes you know and add; or subtract the inside from the outside (a path, a hole).

Volume & surface area

4 rules
Rule 06

Cuboid

Volume = l×w×h. Surface area = 2(lw + lh + wh). An open-top box leaves out one face.

Rule 07

Cylinder

Volume = πr²h. Curved area = 2πrh. Closed: total = 2πrh + 2πr².

Rule 08

Cone

Volume = ⅓πr²h. Curved area = πrl, where l is the slant height.

Rule 09

Sphere & hemisphere

Sphere: V = (4/3)πr³, SA = 4πr². Hemisphere: V = (2/3)πr³.

Problem types

4 rules
Rule 10

Double shapes

Add the two volumes (cylinder + cone, cylinder + hemisphere, cone + hemisphere).

Rule 11

Meltdown & recast

When a solid is melted and re-made, the volume is unchanged. Put V₁ = V₂ and solve.

Rule 12

Empty space

Space left over = container volume − object volume (sphere in a box, cylinder in a box).

Rule 13

Water displacement

When an object sinks, the water rises by exactly the object’s volume: πr²(rise) = V.

Mathslive.ie · Area & Volume · Need to Know