Area & Volume
The rules you must have ready for the exam.
Area & perimeter
5 rulesRectangle
Area = length × width. Perimeter = 2(length + width).
Triangle
Area = ½ × base × perpendicular height.
Circle
Area = πr². Circumference = 2πr (or πd). If the radius is a multiple of 7, use π = 22/7.
Sector
A sector is a slice. Area = (θ/360)πr²; arc length = (θ/360)×2πr.
Compound shapes
Split into shapes you know and add; or subtract the inside from the outside (a path, a hole).
Volume & surface area
4 rulesCuboid
Volume = l×w×h. Surface area = 2(lw + lh + wh). An open-top box leaves out one face.
Cylinder
Volume = πr²h. Curved area = 2πrh. Closed: total = 2πrh + 2πr².
Cone
Volume = ⅓πr²h. Curved area = πrl, where l is the slant height.
Sphere & hemisphere
Sphere: V = (4/3)πr³, SA = 4πr². Hemisphere: V = (2/3)πr³.
Problem types
4 rulesDouble shapes
Add the two volumes (cylinder + cone, cylinder + hemisphere, cone + hemisphere).
Meltdown & recast
When a solid is melted and re-made, the volume is unchanged. Put V₁ = V₂ and solve.
Empty space
Space left over = container volume − object volume (sphere in a box, cylinder in a box).
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