CHAPTER TEN – SOLIDS

Definition. A polyhedron is a union of polygons, not all coplanar, with their interiors, which
encloses
a region of space. A
B ABD, ACD, CDGE, BDGF are called faces.
C AC, AD, AB, CE, DG, EG, BD, BF, and FG
D are called edges.
E F A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are called vertices.
G
Definition. Let π be a plane containing polygon, π’ a plane parallel to π; and m a line intersecting
both planes. A prism is the union of
1. the polygon;
2. the interior of the polygon;
3. the set of all segments parallel to m which join appoint of the polygon of π’;
4. the interior of the region in π’ enclosed by the endpoints of the segments.

π The faces in the parallel planes are the bases of the

prism. The remaining faces are lateral faces, and the
intersections of the lateral faces are called lateral
edges.

π’
m

Theorem 10-1. Each lateral face of a prism is a parallelogram.

Theorem 10-2. The bases of a prism have corresponding sides and corresponding angles congruent.
Theorem 10-3. The bases of a prism have equal area.

Altitude
h

Right prism Oblique prism

A segment from a point in one base perpendicular to the plane of the other base is an
altitude of the prism. The length of the altitude is called the height, h. A prism is a
right prism if the lateral edges are perpendicular to the bases. Otherwise, the prism is
an oblique prism.
The prisms are named by the shape of their bases. For a triangular base,
triangular prism; for quadrilateral, quadrangular prism; and so on and so forth.
A regular prism is a right prism whose bases are regular polygons. A cube is a
 prism in which all faces are squares. A right rectangular prism is a prism whose lateral
edges are perpendicular to the bases and all lateral faces are rectangles. A solid right
rectangular prism is called a rectangular solid.

Definition. The lateral area, L.A., of a prism is the sum of the areas of its lateral faces.
The total area, T.A., of a prism is the sum of its lateral area and the areas of the bases.

Theorem 10-4. The lateral area, A, of a right prism is the product of the length of a lateral edge, h,
and the perimeter, p, of the base. (LA = ph)

Postulate 22. To every solid polyhedron there corresponds a unique positive real number.
Definition. The real number in Postulate 22 is called the volume of the solid polyhedron.
Postulate 23. The volume, V, of a rectangular solid is equal to the product of its length, l, width, w,
and height, h. (V = lwh).
Definition. A cross section of a solid is the intersection of a solid and a plane parallel to a base of
the solid.

Theorem 10-5. All cross sections of a prism have equal area.

Postulate 24. (Cavaliere’s Principle). Given a plane and two solids. If every plane that is parallel to
the given plane and intersects one of the solids also intersects the second solid, and
if the cross sections formed have the same area, then the solids have the same volume.

Theorem 10-6. The volume, V, of a prism is equal to

the product of the height, h, and the h
area of a base. (V = Bh).

Definition. Let π be a p[lane containing a circle; π’ a plane parallel to π; and m a lineintersecting

both planes. A circular cylinder is the union of:
1. the circle;
2. the interior of the circle;
3. the set of segments parallel to m which join a point of the circle to a point in π’;
4. the interior of the region in π’ enclosed by the endpoints of the segment.

Axis
M Altitude

Right prism Oblique Prism

The axis of the cylinder is a segment joining the centers of the bases. If the axis of
 a cylinder is perpendicular to the bases, the cylinder is a right cylinder. Otherwise,
the cylinder is oblique cylinder.

Theorem 10-7. The lateral area, LA, of a right circular cylinder is equal to the product of the
circumference, C, of a base and the height, h. (LA = Ch, or LA = 2πrh).

Definition. The total area, TA, of a cylinder is the sum of the lateral area, LA, and the areas
of the bases, B. (TA = LA + 2B or TA = 2πrh + 2πr2).

Theorem 10-8. The volume, V, of a cylinder is equal to the product of the height, h, and the
area, B, of a base. (V = Bh, or V = πr2h).

Definition. Let π be a plane containing a polygon, and V a point not in π. A pyramid is the union of
1. The polygon; V
2. The interior of the polygon;
3. The set of segments that join a point of the polygon to V.
π

Vertex
Lateral Face
Altitude Slant Height

Base
Triangular Pyramid Hexagonal Pyramid

Notice that the lateral faces of a pyramid are triangular. A regular pyramid is a
pyramid whose base is a regular polygon and whose lateral edges are congruent.
The slant height of a regular pyramid is the length of the altitude of one of the
lateral faces from the vertex of the pyramid.

Theorem 10-9. The lateral area of a regular pyramid are congruent isosceles triangles.

Theorem 10-10.The lateral area, LA, of a regular pyramid is equal to one-half the product of the
perimeter, p, of the base and the slant height, s. (LA = ½ sp).

The total area, TA, of a pyramid is the sum of the lateral area, LA, and the area of
the base, B. (TA = LA + B).

Theorem 10-11.The volume, V, of a pyramid is equal to one-third the product of the area of its base, B,
1
and the height, h. (V = Bh).
3
Definition. Let π be a plane containing a circle, and V a point not in π. A circular cone is the union of
1. The circle; V
2. The interior of the circle;
3. the set of all segments that join V to a point of the circle. π
V V
Axis
Altitude
Slant Height
Oblique Cone Right Cone

The circular region in plane π is the base of the cone. The segment between the vertex
and the center of the base is the axis of the cone. If the axis of the cone is perpendicular
to the plane of the base, the cone is a right cone. Otherwise the cone is oblique cone.
The slant height of a right cone is the length of a segment from the vertex to appoint
on the circle.

Theorem 10-12.The lateral area, LA, of a right circular cone is equal to one-half the product of its
slant height, s, and the circumference, C, of its base. (LA = ½ sC, or LA = πrs).

Theorem 10-13.The volume, V, of a cone is equal to one-third the product of its height, h, and the area
1
of its base, B. (V = Bh).
3

Definition. A sphere is the set of all points in space that are given distance from a given point.
A The given point is called the center. A radius of a sphere is a
segment determined by the center and a point on the sphere.
O Radius is also used to mean the length of this segment. The
Intersection of a sphere and a plane containing the center of
Great Circle the sphere is a great circle of the sphere.

4 3 4
Theorem 10-14.The volume, V, of a sphere of radius r is equal to πr . (V = πr3).
3 3

Theorem 10-15.The area, A, of a sphere of radius r is equal to 4πr2. (A = 4πr2).

 SELECTED TOPICS IN SOLID MENSURATION

Definition. Similar polyhedrons are polyhedrons that have the same number of faces, respectively
similar and similarly placed, and have their corresponding polyhedral angles equal.
Corresponding lines of similar figures are proportional.

Formulas. The areas of similar plane figures or similar surfaces (s,S) have the same ratio as the
2
s x
squares of any two corresponding lines (x,X). That is, = .
S X2
The volume of similar solids (v,V) have the same ratio as the cubes of any two
2
v x
corresponding lines (x,X). That is, = .
V X2
In similar figures of any kind, pairs of corresponding line segments such as x, X, and y, Y
x y
have the same ratio. That is, = .
X Y

CHAPTER FIVE – SOLIDS FOR WHICH V = (mean B)h

Definition. A frustum of a regular pyramid is the portion of a regular pyramid included between
the base and a section parallel to the base.
Properties:
1. The slant height of a frustum of a regular pyramid is the altitude of a face.
2. The lateral edges of a frustum of a regular pyramid are equal, and the faces are
equal isosceles trapezoids.

Formulas. The lateral area of the frustum of a regular pyramid is equal to one-half the sum of the
perimeters of the bases multiplied by the slant height.

Lateral Area =
∑ of perimeters of bases x slant height =mean p x l= ( p+ P)l
2 2

The volume of the frustum of any pyramid is equal to one-third the product of the
altitude and the sum of the upper base, the lower base, and the mean proportional
between the bases.

Volume =
∑ of bases +mean proportional x altitude=mean B x h=¿ ¿
3

Definition. The frustum of a right circular cone is that portion of a right circular cone included
between the base and a section parallel to the base.
 Properties:
1. The altitude of a frustum of a right circular cone is the perpendicular distance
between the two bases.
2. All the elements of a frustum of a right circular cone are equal.

Formulas. The lateral area of the frustum of a right circular cone is equal to one-half the sum of
the circumferences of the bases multiplied by the slant height.
c+ C
Lateral Area = ½ sum of circumferences of bases x height = mean c x l = l.
2

The volume of the frustum of any cone is equal to one-third of the product of the
altitude and the sum of the upper base, the lower base, and the mean proportional
between the two bases.

Volume =
∑ of bases +mean proportional x altitude=mean B x h= (b+ B+√ bB) h .
3 3
Definition. A prismatoid is a polyhedron having for bases two polygons in parallel planes, and
for lateral faces triangles or trapezoids with one side lying in one base, and the
opposite vertex or side lying in the other base, of the polyhedron.

b
M h

B
Properties:
1. The altitude of a prismatoid is the perpendicular distance between the planes
of the bases.
2. The mid-section of a prismatoid is the section parallel to the bases and midway
between them.

Formulas. The volume of a prismatoid equals the product of one-sixth the sum of the upper base,
the lower base, and four times the mid-section by the altitude.
∑ of bases +4 x mid−section x altitude=mean B ¿ x h=
Volume =
6 [ b+ B+4 M
6
h.]
Definition. A truncated prism ( or cylinder) is the portion of a prism (or cylinder) included between
the base and a plane not parallel to the base cutting all the edges( or elements).
A right truncated prism (or cylinder) is one in which a right section is parallel to the
base.
 K K

Formula. The volume of a truncated triangular prism is equal to the product of a right section
and one-third the sum of the lateral edges.

Volume = right section x average lateral edge = Km = K ( e + e3 +e )

1 2 3
.

CHAPTER SIX – THE SPHERE

Definition. A sphere is a solid bounded by a closed surface every point of which is equidistant from
a fixed point called the center.
Properties:
1. Every plane section of a sphere is a circle. If the plane contains a diameter of the
sphere, the section is a great circle; otherwise, the section is a small circle.
2. The axis of a circle of a sphere is the diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the
plane of the circle.
3. The poles of a circle of a sphere are the ends of its axis.
4. Of two circles cut from a sphere by planes unequally distant from the center, the
nearer is the greater.
5. The radius of a great circle is equal to the radius of the sphere.
6. Two great circles of a sphere bisect each other.
7. All great circles of a sphere are equal.
8. Every great circle bisects the sphere.

9. The intersection of two spherical surfaces is a circle whose plane is perpendicular

to the line joining the centers of the surfaces and whose center is on that line.
10. A plane perpendicular to a radius at its extremity is tangent to the sphere.
11. The shortest line that can be drawn on the surface of a sphere between two points
is the shorter arc of the great circle passing thru them.

SMALL CIRCLE
r R
DIAMETER

GREAT CIRCLE

Formulas. The area of the surface of a sphere is equal to the area of four of its great circles.
Area = area of 4 great circles = 4π R2

4
The volume of a sphere is equal to π times the cube of its radius.
3
 4 4 3
Volume = π ( radius )3 = π R
3 3

Definition. A zone is that portion of the surface of a sphere included between two parallel lines.
Properties:
1. The circumferences of the sections made by the planes are called the bases of the
zone, and the distance between the planes is the altitude of the zone.
2. A zone of one base is a zone one of whose bounding planes is tangent to the
sphere.

Formulas. The area of the zone is equal to the product of its altitude and the circumference of
a great circle of the sphere.
Area = altitude x circumference of great circle = Z = 2πRh

Definition. A spherical segment is a solid bounded by a zone and the p[lanes of the zone’s bases.
Properties:
1. The bases of a spherical segment are the sections made by the parallel planes.
2. If one of the parallel planes is tangent to the sphere, the segment is called a
segment
of one base.
3. The altitude of a spherical segment is the perpendicular distance between the
bases.

b
h
b
a h
R
R

Formulas. The area of the surface of a spherical segment equals the area of the zone plus the sum
of the areas of the bases (or base).
Total Area = (area of zone) + (areas of bases) = T = Z + A1 + A2
For a spherical segment of one base, A2 = 0.

The volume of a spherical segment of two bases is given by the following formula.
1
V= πh ¿ )
6
For a spherical segment of one base, b = 0.
Definition. A spherical sector is a solid generated by rotating a sector of as circle about an axis
which passes through the center of the circle but which contains no point inside
the sector.

Properties:
1. The bounding surfaces of a spherical sector are a zone, which is called the base,
and one of two conical surfaces.

2. A spherical sector having only one conical surface is called a spherical cone.

Spherical cone Spherical Sector with two conical surfaces

Formulas. The surface area of a spherical sector is equal to the area of the zone which forms its
base plus the sum of the lateral areas of the bounding cones (or cone).

Total area = zone + lateral area of bounding cones = T = Z + S1 + S2.

For a spherical cone, S2 = 0.

The volume of a spherical sector is equal to one-third of the product of the area of the
zone which forms its base, and the radius of the sphere.

1 1
Volume = zone x radius of sphere= ZR
3 3