Volume & Surface Area

More questions on this topic: IGCSE Shape & Space: Volume & Surface Area (89) Level 2 FM Shape & Space: Area & Volume (14)

From a Foundation paper

Edexcel

Edexcel · Old spec

AQA

OCR

Higher June 2025 Paper 3 Q16

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

16 The diagram shows a solid shape made from a cylinder and a cone.

A cone on top of a cylinder, radius 8 cm marked on the join; beside it a box showing Volume of cone = one third pi r squared h with a cone labelled r and h

The cone has a base radius of 8 cm.
The cylinder has a radius of 8 cm.

The vertical height of the cone is three times the height of the cylinder.

The volume of the solid shape is \(640\pi\) cm3

Work out the vertical height of the cone.
You must show all your working. (4)

Foundation November 2024 Paper 2 Q28

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

28 The diagram shows a solid cylinder with base radius 3 cm and height 10 cm.

A cylinder with base radius 3 cm and height 10 cm

The cylinder is made from steel.
It has a mass of 2250 g.

Work out the density of the steel.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (3)

Higher November 2024 Paper 3 Q19

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

19 The diagram shows a cone.

A cone, next to a box giving the formula: curved surface area of cone = pi r l, with a small cone labelled with slant height l, perpendicular height h and base radius r

The radius of the base of the cone is \(\dfrac{3}{4}\) of the height of the cone.
The total surface area of the cone is \(54\pi\) cm2

Work out the height of the cone. (4)

Higher November 2024 Paper 2 Q12

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

12 The diagram shows a solid cylinder with base radius 3 cm and height 8 cm.
It also shows a solid cube with side length \(h\) cm.

A cylinder with radius 3 cm and height 8 cm, and a cube with side length h cm

The cylinder is made from steel with a density of 7.86 g/cm3
The cube is made from brass with a density of 8.5 g/cm3

The mass of the cylinder is equal to the mass of the cube.

Work out the value of \(h\).
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place. (5)

Foundation June 2024 Paper 3 Q28

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

28 A paddling pool is in the shape of a cylinder.

Cylinder with radius 100 cm and depth 30 cm

The pool has radius 100 cm.
The pool has depth 30 cm.

The pool is empty.
It is then filled with water at a rate of 250 cm3 per second.

Work out the number of minutes it takes to fill the pool completely.
Give your answer correct to the nearest minute.
You must show all your working. (4)

Higher June 2024 Paper 3 Q9

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

9 The diagram shows a cube and a square-based pyramid.

Cube with edges 6 cm, 6 cm and 6 cm; square-based pyramid with base 8 cm by 8 cm and perpendicular height h cm

The volume of the cube is equal to the volume of the pyramid.

Work out the perpendicular height, \(h\) cm, of the pyramid. (3)

Higher June 2024 Paper 3 Q7

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

7 A paddling pool is in the shape of a cylinder.

Cylinder with radius 100 cm and height 30 cm

The pool has radius 100 cm.
The pool has depth 30 cm.

The pool is empty.
It is then filled with water at a rate of 250 cm3 per second.

Work out the number of minutes it takes to fill the pool completely.
Give your answer correct to the nearest minute.
You must show all your working. (4)

Foundation November 2023 Paper 2 Q28

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

28 The diagram shows an empty tank in the shape of a cylinder.

Cylinder with radius 15 cm and height 43 cm

The cylinder has radius 15 cm and height 43 cm.

Water flows into the tank at a rate of 0.47 litres per minute.

Calculate the number of minutes it will take to completely fill the tank.
Give your answer correct to the nearest minute. (4)

Higher November 2023 Paper 3 Q19

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

19

Frustum F of a cone: top diameter 24 cm, height 5 cm, with the removed smaller cone shown dashed below
Formulae: Volume of sphere = (4/3) pi r cubed; Volume of cone = (1/3) pi r squared h, with diagrams of a sphere of radius r and a cone with radius r, slant height l and height h

The diagram above shows a frustum F of a cone.
The frustum is made by removing a cone with height 10 cm from a solid cone with height 15 cm and base diameter 24 cm.

The solid S is made by removing F from a solid hemisphere as shown in the diagram below.

Hemisphere of diameter 24 cm with the frustum, depth 5 cm, removed from its flat face

The hemisphere has diameter 24 cm.

Calculate the volume of solid S.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (4)

Higher November 2023 Paper 2 Q7

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

7 The diagram shows an empty tank in the shape of a cylinder.

Cylinder with radius 15 cm and height 43 cm

The cylinder has radius 15 cm and height 43 cm.

Water flows into the tank at a rate of 0.47 litres per minute.

Calculate the number of minutes it will take to completely fill the tank.
Give your answer correct to the nearest minute. (4)

Higher June 2023 Paper 3 Q18

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

18 A solid frustum is made by removing a small cone from a large cone as shown in the diagram.

Large cone of slant height 10 cm and base radius 3 cm with a small cone of slant height 6 cm removed from the top to leave a frustum. A box shows a cone with slant height l and radius r and the formula Curved surface area of cone = pi r l

The slant height of the small cone is 6 cm.
The slant height of the large cone is 10 cm.
The radius of the base of the large cone is 3 cm.

Calculate the total surface area of the frustum.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (5)

Higher June 2023 Paper 1 Q16

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

16 Here is a sphere.

A sphere with radius r marked; beside it a box showing Surface area of sphere = 4 pi r squared

\(\dfrac{3}{8}\) of the surface area of this sphere is \(75\pi\) cm2

Find the diameter of the sphere.
Give your answer in the form \(a\sqrt{b}\) where \(a\) is an integer and \(b\) is a prime number. (4)

Higher November 2022 Paper 1 Q24

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec6 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

24 Here is a solid sphere and a solid cone.

Sphere of radius r and cone of base radius r and perpendicular height h. Volume of sphere = four thirds pi r cubed. Volume of cone = one third pi r squared h

All measurements are in cm.

The volume of the sphere is equal to the volume of the cone.

(a) Find \(r : h\)
Give your answer in its simplest form. (2)

Here is a different solid sphere and a different solid cone.

Sphere of radius r and cone of base radius r and slant height l. Surface area of sphere = 4 pi r squared. Curved area of cone = pi r l

All measurements are in cm.

The surface area of the sphere is equal to the total surface area of the cone.

(b) Find \(r : h\)
Give your answer in the form \(1 : \sqrt{n}\) where \(n\) is an integer. (4)

Higher June 2022 Paper 2 Q17

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

17 A solid cone is joined to a solid hemisphere to make the solid T shown below.

Solid T: a cone on top of a hemisphere, both with diameter 7 cm; the total height is y cm
Volume of sphere = \(\dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

Volume of cone = \(\dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\)
A sphere with radius r, and a cone with base radius r, slant height l and height h

The diameter of the base of the cone is 7 cm.
The diameter of the hemisphere is 7 cm.

The total volume of T is \(120\pi\) cm3
The total height of T is \(y\) cm.

(a) Calculate the value of \(y\).
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (4)

The diameter of the base of the cone and the diameter of the hemisphere are both increased by the same amount.
Assuming the total volume of T does not change,

(b) explain the effect this would have on your answer to part (a). (1)

Foundation November 2021 Paper 1 Q26

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec4 marksShow That & ProofVolume & Surface Area

26 The diagram shows a cube with edges of length \(x\) cm and a sphere of radius 3 cm.

A cube with edge x cm; a sphere with radius 3 cm; and a box showing a sphere of radius r with the formula: surface area of sphere = 4 pi r squared

The surface area of the cube is equal to the surface area of the sphere.

Show that \(x = \sqrt{k\pi}\) where \(k\) is an integer. (4)

Higher November 2021 Paper 2 Q19

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

19 \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are three spheres.

The volume of sphere \(A\) is 125 cm\(^3\)
The volume of sphere \(B\) is 27 cm\(^3\)

The ratio of the radius of sphere \(B\) to the radius of sphere \(C\) is \(1 : 2\)

Work out the ratio of the surface area of sphere \(A\) to the surface area of sphere \(C\). (3)

Higher November 2021 Paper 1 Q7

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksShow That & ProofVolume & Surface Area

7 The diagram shows a cube with edges of length \(x\) cm and a sphere of radius 3 cm.

A cube with edge x cm, a sphere with radius 3 cm, and a box showing a sphere of radius r with the formula: surface area of sphere = 4 pi r squared

The surface area of the cube is equal to the surface area of the sphere.

Show that \(x = \sqrt{k\pi}\) where \(k\) is an integer. (4)

Higher November 2019 Paper 3 Q23

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksCircles & SectorsVolume & Surface Area

23 The diagram shows a sector \(OACB\) of a circle with centre \(O\).
The point \(C\) is the midpoint of the arc \(AB\).

The diagram also shows a hollow cone with vertex \(O\).
The cone is formed by joining \(OA\) and \(OB\).

Formula box: Volume of cone = one third pi r squared h; Curved surface area of cone = pi r l; with a cone labelled slant height l, vertical height h and radius r
A major sector OACB of a circle with centre O and C on the arc midway between A and B; beside it a cone with vertex O, with A and B together at one side of the base and C on the opposite side

The cone has volume 56.8 cm3 and height 3.6 cm.

Calculate the size of angle \(AOB\) of sector \(OACB\).
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
You must show all your working. (5)

Higher November 2019 Paper 2 Q19

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

19 The diagram shows a hemisphere with diameter 8.4 cm.

Hemisphere with diameter 8.4 cm

Volume of sphere = \(\dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

Work out the volume of the hemisphere.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (2)

Foundation June 2019 Paper 3 Q29

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec5 marksCircles & SectorsVolume & Surface Area

29 Jeremy has to cover 3 tanks completely with paint.

A cylinder with diameter 1.6 m and height 1.8 m

Each tank is in the shape of a cylinder with a top and a bottom.
The tank has a diameter of 1.6 m and a height of 1.8 m.

Jeremy has 7 tins of paint.
Each tin of paint covers 5 m2

Has Jeremy got enough paint to cover completely the 3 tanks?
You must show how you get your answer. (5)

Foundation June 2019 Paper 2 Q23

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

23 A container is in the shape of a cuboid.

A cuboid 30 cm long, 6 cm deep and 19 cm high

The container is \(\dfrac{2}{3}\) full of water.

A cup holds 275 ml of water.

What is the greatest number of cups that can be completely filled with water from the container? (4)

Higher June 2019 Paper 1 Q15

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

15 The diagram shows a solid shape.
The shape is a cone on top of a hemisphere.

A cone of height 10 cm on top of a hemisphere, with the common diameter 6 cm marked; beside it a box showing Volume of a cone = one third pi r squared h and Volume of a sphere = four thirds pi r cubed, with a labelled cone and sphere

The height of the cone is 10 cm.
The base of the cone has a diameter of 6 cm.
The hemisphere has a diameter of 6 cm.

The total volume of the shape is \(k\pi\) cm3, where \(k\) is an integer.

Work out the value of \(k\). (4)

Higher June 2019 Paper 3 Q6

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

6 Jeremy has to cover 3 tanks completely with paint.

Cylinder with diameter 1.6 m and height 1.8 m

Each tank is in the shape of a cylinder with a top and a bottom.
The tank has a diameter of 1.6 m and a height of 1.8 m.

Jeremy has 7 tins of paint.
Each tin of paint covers 5 m2

Has Jeremy got enough paint to cover completely the 3 tanks?
You must show how you get your answer. (5)

Higher June 2019 Paper 2 Q4

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

4 A container is in the shape of a cuboid.

Cuboid 30 cm long, 6 cm deep and 19 cm high

The container is \(\dfrac{2}{3}\) full of water.

A cup holds 275 ml of water.

What is the greatest number of cups that can be completely filled with water from the container? (4)

Higher November 2018 Paper 2 Q20

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

20 Here is a frustum of a cone.

A cone of base diameter 7.2 cm with its top part, of height 3.2 cm, drawn dotted; the frustum below has height 3.2 cm
Volume of sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)
Volume of cone \(= \dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\)

The diagram shows that the frustum is made by removing a cone with height 3.2 cm from a solid cone with height 6.4 cm and base diameter 7.2 cm.

The frustum is joined to a solid hemisphere of diameter 7.2 cm to form the solid S shown below.

Solid S: the frustum of height 3.2 cm sitting on a hemisphere, joined along a circle of diameter 7.2 cm

The density of the frustum is 2.4 g/cm\(^3\)
The density of the hemisphere is 4.8 g/cm\(^3\)

Calculate the average density of solid S. (5)

Higher November 2018 Paper 3 Q8

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

8 The diagram shows a solid metal cuboid.

The areas of three of the faces are marked on the diagram.
The lengths, in cm, of the edges of the cuboid are whole numbers.

Cuboid with three faces marked 27 square cm, 45 square cm and 15 square cm

The metal cuboid is melted and made into cubes.
Each of the cubes has sides of length 2.5 cm.

Work out the greatest number of these cubes that can be made. (5)

Foundation June 2018 Paper 1 Q23

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec6 marksPlans, Elevations & NetsVolume & Surface Area

23 Here is a solid square-based pyramid, \(VABCD\).

Square-based pyramid VABCD with base edge AB of 6 cm, vertical height 4 cm, and slant height VM of 5 cm where M is the midpoint of BC; an arrow labelled front view points at face VAB

The base of the pyramid is a square of side 6 cm.
The height of the pyramid is 4 cm.
\(M\) is the midpoint of \(BC\) and \(VM = 5\) cm.

(a) Draw an accurate front elevation of the pyramid from the direction of the arrow.
Centimetre square grid, 14 squares wide and 12 squares high
(2)
(b) Work out the total surface area of the pyramid. (4)

Higher June 2018 Paper 2 Q19

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

19 Shape S is one quarter of a solid sphere, centre \(O\).

Shape S, one quarter of a solid sphere with centre O
Volume of sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

Surface area of sphere \(= 4\pi r^2\)
Sphere with radius r marked

The volume of S is \(576\pi\) cm3

Find the surface area of S.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
You must show your working. (5)

Higher June 2018 Paper 1 Q5

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec6 marksPlans, Elevations & NetsVolume & Surface Area

5 Here is a solid square-based pyramid, \(VABCD\).

Square-based pyramid VABCD with base edge AB of 6 cm, vertical height 4 cm, and slant height VM of 5 cm where M is the midpoint of BC; an arrow labelled front view points at face VAB

The base of the pyramid is a square of side 6 cm.
The height of the pyramid is 4 cm.
\(M\) is the midpoint of \(BC\) and \(VM = 5\) cm.

(a) Draw an accurate front elevation of the pyramid from the direction of the arrow.
Centimetre square grid, 14 squares wide and 12 squares high
(2)
(b) Work out the total surface area of the pyramid. (4)

Foundation November 2017 Paper 3 Q16

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

16 Chloe has a van.

She is going to use the van to deliver boxes.
Each box is a cuboid, 40 cm by 30 cm by 35 cm.

Cuboid box labelled 40 cm, 30 cm and 35 cm

The space for boxes in the van has

maximum length2.4 m
maximum width1.5 m
maximum height1.4 m

The space for boxes is empty.
Chloe wants to put as many boxes as possible into the van.

She can put 3 boxes into the van in one minute.
Assume that the space for boxes is in the shape of a cuboid.

(a) Work out how many minutes it should take Chloe to put as many boxes as possible into the van. (4)

The space for boxes might not be in the shape of a cuboid.

(b) Explain how this could affect the time it would take Chloe to put as many boxes as possible into the van. (1)

Foundation November 2017 Paper 1 Q13

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

13 The total surface area of a cube is 294 cm2.

Work out the volume of the cube. (4)

Foundation June 2017 Paper 3 Q12

EdexcelFoundationCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

12 The diagram shows a cube of side length 2 cm.

Cube with each edge labelled 2 cm

Vera says,

“The volume of any solid made with 6 of these cubes is 48 cm³”

(a) Is Vera correct?
You must show your working. (2)
(b)
(i) Draw a cuboid that can be made with 6 of these cubes.
Write the dimensions of the cuboid on your diagram. (1)
(ii) Work out the surface area of your cuboid. (2)

1MA0 Higher November 2016 Paper 1 Q27

EdexcelHigherOld spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

27 The diagram shows a sphere and a solid cylinder.

Sphere of radius 6 cm and a cylinder of radius 3 cm and height h cm

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

The sphere has radius 6 cm.
The solid cylinder has a base radius of 3 cm and a height of \(h\) cm.

The total surface area of the cylinder is twice the total surface area of the sphere.

Work out the ratio of the volume of the sphere to the volume of the cylinder.
Give your answer in its simplest form.
You must show all your working. (5)

1MA0 Higher November 2016 Paper 2 Q21

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

*21 Anne wants to fill 12 hanging baskets with compost.

Picture of a hanging basket

Each hanging basket is a hemisphere of diameter 40 cm.

Anne has 4 bags of compost.
There are 50 litres of compost in each bag.

Has Anne got enough compost to fill the 12 hanging baskets? (4)

1MA0 Higher November 2015 Paper 1 Q19

EdexcelHigherOld spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

19

Solid made from a cone of height 10 cm on top of a hemisphere

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

The diagram shows a solid shape.
The solid shape is made from a hemisphere and a cone.
The radius of the hemisphere is equal to the radius of the base of the cone.

The cone has a height of 10 cm.
The volume of the cone is \(270\pi\) cm\(^3\).

Work out the total volume of the solid shape.
Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\). (5)

1MA0 Higher June 2015 Paper 1 Q23

EdexcelHigherOld spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

23 The diagram shows a container for grain.

Cylinder of radius 3 m and height h m on top of a cone of height 4 m

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

The container is a cylinder on top of a cone.
The cylinder has a radius of 3 m and a height of \(h\) m.
The cone has a base radius of 3 m and a vertical height of 4 m.

The container is empty.
The container is then filled with grain at a constant rate.

After 5 hours the depth of the grain is 6 metres above the vertex of the cone.
After 9 hours the container is full of grain.

Work out the value of \(h\).
Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

You must show all your working. (5)

1MA0 Higher November 2014 Paper 1 Q20

EdexcelHigherOld spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

20 The diagram shows a solid shape.

Solid made from a cylinder of height 10 cm with a hemisphere on top

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

The solid shape is made from a cylinder and a hemisphere.
The radius of the cylinder is equal to the radius of the hemisphere.
The cylinder has a height of 10 cm.
The curved surface area of the hemisphere is \(32\pi\) cm\(^2\).

Work out the total surface area of the solid shape.
Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\). (5)

1MA0 Higher June 2014 Paper 2 Q25

EdexcelHigherOld spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

25 The diagram shows a solid made from a hemisphere and a cone.

Cone on top of a hemisphere; radius 4 cm; total height 14 cm

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

The radius of the hemisphere is 4 cm.
The radius of the base of the cone is 4 cm.

Calculate the volume of the solid.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (3)

1MA0 Higher March 2013 Paper 1 Q23

EdexcelHigherOld spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

23 The diagram shows a solid hemisphere of radius 5 cm.

Solid hemisphere with radius 5 cm marked on the flat face

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

Find the total surface area of the solid hemisphere.
Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\). (3)

1MA0 Higher March 2013 Paper 2 Q22

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

22

Frustum of a cone: large cone height 40 cm, base diameter 30 cm, small cone of height 20 cm removed from the top

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

A frustrum is made by removing a small cone from a similar large cone.

The height of the small cone is 20 cm.
The height of the large cone is 40 cm.
The diameter of the base of the large cone is 30 cm.

Work out the volume of the frustrum.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (4)

1MA0 Higher November 2012 Paper 2 Q23

EdexcelHigherOld spec6 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

23 The diagram shows a pyramid.

Square-based pyramid with apex A and base BCDE; base edges and slant edges 10 cm

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

\(BCDE\) is a square with sides of length 10 cm.

The other faces of the pyramid are equilateral triangles with sides of length 10 cm.

(a) Calculate the volume of the pyramid.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. (4)
(b) Find the size of angle \(DAB\). (2)

1MA0 Higher June 2012 Paper 1 Q25

EdexcelHigherOld spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

25 The diagram shows a solid metal cylinder.

Cylinder with base radius 2x and height 9x

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

The cylinder has base radius \(2x\) and height \(9x\).
The cylinder is melted down and made into a sphere of radius \(r\).

Find an expression for \(r\) in terms of \(x\). (3)

1MA0 Foundation June 2012 Paper 1 Q12

EdexcelFoundationOld spec4 marksPlans, Elevations & NetsVolume & Surface Area

12 Amy has some toy bricks.
Each brick is a cube of side 1 cm.

A 1 cm cube

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

Amy uses some of the bricks to make this solid shape.

Solid made from 1 cm cubes

Amy adds some more of the bricks to this solid shape to make a cube of side 3 cm.

(a) How many bricks does Amy add? (2)

Naveed uses some of the bricks to make this solid shape.

Solid made from 1 cm cubes with an arrow showing a viewing direction
(b) On the grid below, draw the view of the solid shape from the direction shown by the arrow.
Blank grid
(2)

Higher June 2025 Paper 3 Q21

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

21 Five identical spheres just fit inside a cylinder.

Each sphere has radius \(r\).

Five identical spheres in a row, touching each other, inside a cylinder shown from the side. The spheres touch both ends and the sides of the cylinder
Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

What fraction of the space inside the cylinder is filled by the spheres?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Foundation June 2025 Paper 1 Q15

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksShow That & ProofVolume & Surface Area

15

(a) A sphere has diameter 20 cm

Show that the radius of the sphere is 10 cm [1 mark]

(b) The volume of a sphere is \(\dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\) where \(r\) is the radius.

Work out the volume of a sphere with diameter 20 cm

Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\) [2 marks]

Foundation November 2024 Paper 3 Q26

AQAFoundationCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

26

A hemisphere (bowl shape) with radius 7.5 cm marked from the centre of the top face to its edge
Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3} \times \pi \times r^3\)
where \(r\) is the radius

Ria works out the volume of this hemisphere in terms of \(\pi\)

Here is her work.

\[\text{Volume of a hemisphere} = \dfrac{4}{3} \times 7.5 \times 3 \div 2 = 15\]

Write down two mistakes she has made. [2 marks]

Foundation November 2024 Paper 1 Q23

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

23 Here is a solid prism.

A hexagonal prism
(a) How many faces does the prism have? [1 mark]
(b) The prism has

volume = 3500 cm\(^3\)
and
length = 20 cm

Work out the area of the cross-section of the prism. [2 marks]

Higher November 2024 Paper 3 Q22

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

22 The metal used to make a sphere costs £4320

The metal costs £3.60 per gram.
Each cubic centimetre of metal has a mass of 17.3 grams.

Work out the radius, \(r\), of the sphere. [4 marks]

Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

Higher November 2024 Paper 1 Q5

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

5 Here is a solid prism.

A hexagonal prism
(a) How many faces does the prism have? [1 mark]
(b) The prism has

volume = 3500 cm\(^3\)
and
length = 20 cm

Work out the area of the cross-section of the prism. [2 marks]

Higher June 2024 Paper 2 Q25

AQAHigherCurrent spec5 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

25 Here is a right-angled triangular prism.

Right-angled triangular prism; the triangular cross-section has sides a and b at the right angle and hypotenuse c, and the length of the prism is d

The ratio of the edges is \(\quad a : b : c : d = 3 : 4 : 5 : 12\)

The volume of the prism is \(1125\ \text{cm}^3\)

Work out the total length of all of the edges of the prism. [5 marks]

Foundation June 2024 Paper 3 Q23

AQAFoundationCurrent spec2 marksPlans, Elevations & NetsVolume & Surface Area

23 The front elevation of a cuboid is shown on this centimetre grid.

Front elevation on a centimetre grid: a rectangle 3 cm wide and 2 cm high

The volume of the cuboid is \(42\text{ cm}^3\)

Draw the side elevation on this centimetre grid. [2 marks]

Blank centimetre grid labelled Side elevation, 9 squares wide and 6 squares high

Foundation June 2024 Paper 1 Q22

AQAFoundationCurrent spec4 marksCircles & SectorsVolume & Surface Area

22 Here is a cone.

Cone with vertical height 12 cm, slant height 13 cm and base radius 5 cm
(a)
Curved surface area of a cone \(= \pi r l\)
where \(r\) is the radius and \(l\) is the slant height

Beth tries to work out the curved surface area in terms of \(\pi\)

Curved surface area of the cone \(= \pi \times 5 \times 12\)
\(= 60\pi\) cm\(^2\)

What mistake has she made? [1 mark]

(b) Adam uses   \(\pi = 3\)   to estimate the area of the base of the cone.

Work out his estimate. [2 marks]

(c) Beth uses   \(\pi = 3.14\)   to estimate the area of the base of the cone.

Is Beth’s estimate more than or less than Adam’s estimate?

Tick a box.

  • More than
  • Less than

Give a reason for your answer. [1 mark]

Higher June 2024 Paper 3 Q21

AQAHigherCurrent spec5 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

21 A cylinder, C, and a sphere, S, each have radius \(r\)

C has height \(h\)

Cylinder C with radius r and height h, and sphere S with radius r
Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)
where \(r\) is the radius
(a) volume of C \(=\) volume of S

Work out the ratio \(\quad r : h\)

You must show your working. [3 marks]

(b) A different cylinder has radius \(3r\) and height \(2h\).

How many times bigger is the volume of this cylinder than the volume of C? [2 marks]

Higher June 2024 Paper 1 Q7

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksCircles & SectorsVolume & Surface Area

7 Here is a cone.

Cone with vertical height 12 cm, slant height 13 cm and base radius 5 cm
(a)
Curved surface area of a cone \(= \pi r l\)
where \(r\) is the radius and \(l\) is the slant height

Beth tries to work out the curved surface area in terms of \(\pi\)

Curved surface area of the cone \(= \pi \times 5 \times 12\)
\(= 60\pi\ \text{cm}^2\)

What mistake has she made? [1 mark]

(b) Adam uses \(\quad \pi = 3 \quad\) to estimate the area of the base of the cone.

Work out his estimate. [2 marks]

(c) Beth uses \(\quad \pi = 3.14 \quad\) to estimate the area of the base of the cone.

Is Beth’s estimate more than or less than Adam’s estimate?

Tick a box.

  • More than
  • Less than

Give a reason for your answer. [1 mark]

Foundation June 2024 Paper 3 Q6

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

6 Here are three solids.

A cube, a square-based pyramid and a cone
(a) How many faces does the cube have? [1 mark]
(b) How many edges does the square-based pyramid have? [1 mark]
(c) How many vertices does the cone have? [1 mark]

Foundation November 2023 Paper 2 Q26

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

26 Here is a prism drawn on an isometric grid.

Prism on an isometric grid with length 6 cm; its L-shaped cross-section is made from a 2 by 5 rectangle and a 2 by 2 square

Work out the volume of the prism. [3 marks]

Higher November 2023 Paper 3 Q23

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

23 A chocolate box in the shape of a prism is being designed.

All lengths are in centimetres.

The cross section is a regular hexagon with side \(x\)
The length is \(5x\)

Hexagonal prism with hexagon side x and length 5x

An expression for the area of the cross section, in cm\(^2\), is \(\;\dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}x^2\)

The total surface area of the box must be less than 650 cm\(^2\)

Work out the largest possible integer value of \(x\).

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Higher November 2023 Paper 3 Q14

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksShow That & ProofVolume & Surface Area

14 A solid trophy consists of a stand and a player.

Trophy: a footballer holding a ball, standing on a stand

The stand is made by removing a small pyramid from a large pyramid.

Large pyramid   Square base, edge 8 cm   Perpendicular height 16 cm
Small pyramid   Square base, edge 5 cm   Perpendicular height 10 cm

A small square-based pyramid lifted off the top of a large one, leaving the stand: a frustum
Volume of a pyramid \(= \dfrac{1}{3} \times\) area of base \(\times\) perpendicular height
(a) Show that the volume of the stand is 258 cm\(^3\) [2 marks]
(b) The trophy is made from a metal of density 7.5 grams per cm\(^3\)

The total mass of the trophy is 2340 grams.

Work out the volume of the player. [2 marks]

Foundation November 2023 Paper 3 Q8

AQAFoundationCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

8 Here is a cuboid.

Cuboid with length 6.75 cm, height 3.8 cm and depth 2.7 cm

Work out the volume of the cuboid.

Give your answer to 1 decimal place. [2 marks]

Higher November 2023 Paper 2 Q7

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

7 Here is a prism drawn on an isometric grid.

Prism on an isometric dot grid with length 6 cm; its L-shaped cross-section is 5 units tall and 2 units wide, with a step 2 units wide and 2 units tall at the bottom right

Work out the volume of the prism. [3 marks]

Foundation June 2023 Paper 2 Q21

AQAFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

21

Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

A bowl is a hemisphere with radius 12 cm

A hemispherical bowl with radius 12 cm marked

Water is poured into the bowl

at a rate of 325 cm\(^3\) per second
for 8 seconds.

Does the water fill more than 70% of the bowl?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Foundation June 2023 Paper 3 Q19

AQAFoundationCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

19 Here is cuboid A.

Cuboid A, drawn like a cube

Cuboid B is made from two of cuboid A.

Cuboid B: two of cuboid A stacked one on top of the other

volume of A : volume of B = 1 : 2

Matthew says,

“surface area of A : surface area of B must be 1 : 2 because B is made of 2 of A.”

Is Matthew correct?

Tick one box.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Cannot tell

Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]

Higher June 2023 Paper 1 Q17

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

17 A solid hemisphere has radius \(x\).

A solid cylinder has radius \(3x\) and height \(x\).

A hemisphere with radius x and a cylinder with radius 3x and height x
Surface area of a sphere \(= 4\pi r^2\)
where \(r\) is the radius

Work out the ratio

total surface area of the hemisphere : total surface area of the cylinder

Give your answer in its simplest form.

You must show your working. [3 marks]

Higher June 2023 Paper 2 Q11

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

11

Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)

A bowl is a hemisphere with radius 12 cm

Hemispherical bowl with radius 12 cm

Water is poured into the bowl

at a rate of 325 cm\(^3\) per second

for 8 seconds.

Does the water fill more than 70% of the bowl?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Higher June 2023 Paper 3 Q6

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

6 Here is cuboid A.

Cuboid A, a single cuboid

Cuboid B is made from two of cuboid A.

Cuboid B, made from two of cuboid A stacked one on top of the other

volume of A : volume of B = 1 : 2

Matthew says,

“surface area of A : surface area of B must be 1 : 2 because B is made of 2 of A.”

Is Matthew correct?

Tick one box.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Cannot tell

Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]

Higher November 2022 Paper 3 Q23

AQAHigherCurrent spec5 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

23 Alec makes a bowl for dog food from a solid wooden cone.

The sketches show how the bowl is made.

The cone has radius 9 cm and perpendicular height 30 cm

A smaller cone, with radius 6 cm, is removed.

Sketch of a cone of height 30 cm with base width labelled 9 cm; the top part (dashed) is a smaller cone with base width labelled 6 cm that is removed, leaving a frustum. Not drawn accurately
Volume of a cone \(= \dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\)
where \(r\) is the radius and \(h\) is the perpendicular height

A hemisphere with radius 6 cm is then removed.

Sketch of the frustum with a hemisphere of width labelled 6 cm removed from its top, leaving the bowl. Not drawn accurately
Volume of a hemisphere \(= \dfrac{2}{3}\pi r^3 \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius

Work out the volume of the remaining wood that forms the bowl. [5 marks]

Foundation November 2022 Paper 2 Q22

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

22

(a) Here is a cuboid.

\(w\), \(x\) and \(y\) are different whole numbers.

Cuboid with edges w cm, x cm and y cm

The total length of all the edges of the cuboid is 80 cm

The volume is greater than 200 cm\(^3\)

Work out one possible set of values for \(w\), \(x\) and \(y\). [2 marks]

(b) Here is a solid cube.
Cube with each edge 3a cm

Circle the expression for the total surface area in cm\(^2\) [1 mark]

  • \(36a\)
  • \(54a\)
  • \(36a^2\)
  • \(54a^2\)

Higher November 2022 Paper 2 Q8

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

8

(a) Here is a cuboid.

\(w\), \(x\) and \(y\) are different whole numbers.

Cuboid with edges labelled w cm, x cm and y cm

The total length of all the edges of the cuboid is 80 cm

The volume is greater than 200 cm3

Work out one possible set of values for \(w\), \(x\) and \(y\). [2 marks]

(b) Here is a solid cube.
Cube with edges labelled 3a cm

Circle the expression for the total surface area in cm2 [1 mark]

  • \(36a\)
  • \(54a\)
  • \(36a^2\)
  • \(54a^2\)

Foundation June 2022 Paper 3 Q16

AQAFoundationCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

16 An empty container is a cylinder of radius 3.5 cm and height 40 cm

A tennis ball is a sphere of radius 3.5 cm

Will six of the tennis balls fit in the container?

Tick a box.

  • Yes
  • No

Show working to support your answer. [2 marks]

Higher June 2022 Paper 3 Q16

AQAHigherCurrent spec5 marksCircles & SectorsVolume & Surface Area

16 Here is a scale drawing of a reservoir.

Scale: 1 cm represents 500 m
Scale drawing of a reservoir with an irregular outline

Virat wants to estimate the volume of water in the reservoir.

He draws on the scale drawing a circle with radius 3 cm

The same reservoir outline with a circle drawn inside it; parts of the reservoir lie outside the circle
(a) Virat estimates the volume of the reservoir by assuming that
  • the reservoir is a cylinder whose cross section is the circle
  • the depth of the reservoir is 17 metres.

Work out Virat’s estimate in cubic metres. [3 marks]

(b) In fact,
  • the depth of the reservoir is 13.8 metres
  • the reservoir is not a cylinder (see diagram).

Which statement about the actual volume of the reservoir is correct?

Tick one box.

  • It is less than Virat’s estimate
  • It is greater than Virat’s estimate
  • It could be less than or greater than Virat’s estimate

Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]

Higher June 2022 Paper 2 Q13

AQAHigherCurrent spec7 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

13 Outside a cafe there is a large plastic ice cream cornet.

The cornet is a hemisphere on top of a cone.

Ice cream cornet: a hemisphere on top of an inverted cone

The cone and the hemisphere each have radius 24 cm

The cone has perpendicular height 117 cm

Volume of a cone \(= \dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\)
\(r\) is the radius
\(h\) is the perpendicular height
Volume of a hemisphere \(= \dfrac{2}{3}\pi r^3\)
\(r\) is the radius
(a) Work out the total volume of the cornet. [4 marks]
(b) The actual cornets that the cafe sells are similar to the plastic one.

For the actual cornets, the cone and the hemisphere each have radius 2 cm

How many times greater is the volume of the plastic cornet than an actual cornet? [3 marks]

Foundation November 2021 Paper 2 Q27

AQAFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

27 A ball contains 5000 cm3 of air.

More air is pumped into the ball at a rate of 160 cm3 per second.

The ball is full of air when it becomes a sphere with radius 15 cm

Picture of a ball
Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3 \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius

Does it take less than 1 minute to fill the ball?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Higher November 2021 Paper 3 Q13

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

13 A box is the shape of half a cylinder on top of a cuboid.

Box made of a cuboid 26 cm wide, 4 cm high and 15 cm long, with a half cylinder of diameter 26 cm on top. The front face is shaded.

Work out the volume of the box. [4 marks]

Higher November 2021 Paper 2 Q9

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

9 A ball contains 5000 cm3 of air.

More air is pumped into the ball at a rate of 160 cm3 per second.

The ball is full of air when it becomes a sphere with radius 15 cm

A beach ball

Volume of a sphere = \(\dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3 \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius

Does it take less than 1 minute to fill the ball?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Foundation November 2020 Paper 1 Q15

AQAFoundationCurrent spec4 marks2D Area & PerimeterVolume & Surface Area

15 A pyramid has a square base.

Each of the four sloping edges has length 10 cm

Square-based pyramid with one sloping edge labelled 10 cm

The total length of all eight edges is 68 cm

Work out the area of the square base. [4 marks]

Foundation November 2019 Paper 1 Q28

AQAFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

28 Here are two solids.

Cylinder with radius 4 cm and height 10 cm. Hemisphere with radius 6 cm
volume of a hemisphere \(= \dfrac{2}{3}\pi r^3 \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius

Which solid has the greater volume?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Foundation November 2019 Paper 2 Q22

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

22 Here is a cuboid.

Cuboid 9 cm long, 5 cm deep and 3 cm high

The two largest faces are blue.

The other four faces are green.

Is the total blue area greater than the total green area?

You must show your working. [3 marks]

Foundation November 2019 Paper 3 Q22

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

22 Here is a small cuboid and a cube.

A small cuboid 6 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm, and a cube of side 2 cm

Small cuboids and cubes are stacked in layers to make larger cuboids.

Here is a cuboid made with four layers.

A cuboid of four layers, alternating: from the bottom, one small cuboid, then three cubes in a row, then one small cuboid, then three cubes in a row

The pattern is continued to make a cuboid with volume 336 cm3

How many cubes are used? [3 marks]

Higher November 2019 Paper 1 Q9

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

9 Here are two solids.

Cylinder with radius 4 cm and height 10 cm. Hemisphere with radius 6 cm
volume of a hemisphere \(= \dfrac{2}{3}\pi r^3 \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius

Which solid has the greater volume?

You must show your working. [4 marks]

Higher June 2019 Paper 3 Q24

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksBasic TrigonometryVolume & Surface Area

24 The length of a diagonal of a cuboid is 20 cm

The diagonal makes an angle of 24° with the base.

The area of the base is 150 cm2

Cuboid with a space diagonal drawn from a bottom corner to the opposite top corner, making an angle of 24° with the diagonal of the base

Work out the volume of the cuboid. [3 marks]

Higher June 2019 Paper 2 Q21

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

21 A solid shape is made by joining two cones.

Each cone has the same radius.

One cone has \(\quad\) slant height \(= 2 \times\) radius

The other cone has \(\quad\) slant height \(= 3 \times\) radius

The total surface area of the shape is \(\quad 57.8\pi\) cm2

Two cones with the same circular base joined base to base; the cone on the right is longer than the one on the left

Work out the radius. [3 marks]

Curved surface area of a cone \(= \pi r l\) \(\quad\) where \(r\) is the radius and \(l\) is the slant height

Higher November 2018 Paper 3 Q24

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

24

Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3 \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius
Volume of a cone \(= \dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h \quad\) where \(r\) is the radius and \(h\) is the perpendicular height

A sphere has radius \(2x\) cm

A cone has

radius \(3x\) cm
perpendicular height \(h\) cm

The sphere and the cone have the same volume.

Work out    radius of cone : perpendicular height of cone

Give your answer in the form \(\quad a : b \quad\) where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers. [4 marks]

Higher November 2018 Paper 3 Q15

AQAHigherCurrent spec5 marks2D Area & PerimeterVolume & Surface Area

15 A company makes two types of lampshade using fabric on wire frames.

Lampshade A

Fabric is used to make the curved surface of a cylinder.

The cylinder has radius 8 cm and height 22 cm

A cylinder of height 22 cm with 8 cm marked across the base

Lampshade B

Fabric is used to make the four triangular faces of a pyramid.

A square-based pyramid

Each triangular face has base 15 cm and perpendicular height 24 cm

Not drawn accurately

A triangular face with base 15 cm and perpendicular height 24 cm
Cost of fabric£400 per square metre
Other costs for A£3.50 per lampshade
Other costs for B£7.50 per lampshade

Work out the ratio    cost of one lampshade A : cost of one lampshade B

Give your answer in the form \(\quad n : 1\) [5 marks]

Higher November 2018 Paper 2 Q13

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksVolume & Surface Area

13 Ashraf is going to put boxes into a crate.

The crate is a cuboid measuring   2.5 m by 2 m by 1.2 m
Each box is a cube of length 50 cm

He does these calculations.

volume of crate=2.5 × 2 × 1.2
=6 m3
volume of one box=0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5
=0.125 m3
number of boxes=6 ÷ 0.125
=48

He claims,

“I can put 48 boxes in the crate.”

Evaluate Ashraf’s method and claim. [2 marks]

Foundation June 2018 Paper 2 Q27

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

27 Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)   where \(r\) is the radius

A container is a hemisphere of radius 30 cm

A hemispherical bowl, flat face uppermost

Sand fills the container at a rate of 4000 cm\(^3\) per minute.

Does it take less than a quarter of an hour to fill the container?

You must show your working. [3 marks]

Foundation June 2018 Paper 3 Q11

AQAFoundationCurrent spec1 markVolume & Surface Area

11 Jo has a full cup of coffee.

A full cup of coffee, wider at the top than the bottom, 10 cm tall

She drinks some of it.

The same cup with coffee filling the bottom 5 cm

She says,

“Half of the coffee is still in the cup, because 5 cm is half of 10 cm”

Is she correct?

Tick a box.

  • Yes
  • No

Give a reason for your answer. [1 mark]

Higher June 2018 Paper 2 Q10

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

10

Volume of a sphere \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)   where \(r\) is the radius

A container is a hemisphere of radius 30 cm

A hemispherical container, open at the top

Sand fills the container at a rate of 4000 cm\(^3\) per minute.

Does it take less than a quarter of an hour to fill the container?

You must show your working. [3 marks]

Foundation November 2017 Paper 2 Q25

AQAFoundationCurrent spec4 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

25 The graph shows information about prisms with the same volume.

Graph of Length (cm), from 0 to 12, against Area of cross section (cm²), from 0 to 12. A curve passes through (2, 12), (3, 8), (4, 6), (6, 4), (8, 3) and (12, 2)
(a) Give one example to show the volume is 24 cm\(^3\) [1 mark]
(b) The diagram shows a prism with volume 24 cm\(^3\)

The height of the triangular cross section is \(h\).

Triangular prism of length 5 cm. The triangular cross section has base 6 cm and perpendicular height h

Work out the height, \(h\). [3 marks]

Foundation November 2017 Paper 3 Q13

AQAFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

13 A cube has edge length 0.9 metres.

Cube with edge labelled 0.9 m

Work out the total surface area of the cube.

Give your answer in square centimetres. [3 marks]

Higher June 2017 Paper 1 Q28

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

28 Volume of cone \(= \dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\) \(\;\) where \(r\) is the radius and \(h\) is the perpendicular height.

A cone has a

  • horizontal base of radius 5 cm
  • height of 15 cm

The cone contains water to a depth of 9 cm

Cone with vertex at the top, height 15 cm and base radius 5 cm. The bottom 9 cm is shaded as water

Work out the volume of the water, in cm\(^3\)

Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\). [4 marks]

Foundation June 2025 Paper 3 Q21

OCRFoundationCurrent spec4 marksCircles & SectorsVolume & Surface Area

21 The diagram shows a sphere with radius \(r\) cm.

Sphere with its centre marked and the radius r cm drawn to the surface

The sphere has a circumference of 50 cm.

Work out the surface area of the sphere.

[The surface area, \(A\), of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(A = 4\pi r^2\).] [4]

Higher June 2025 Paper 6 Q10

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

10 The diagram shows a sphere with radius 3 cm and a cube with side length \(x\) cm.

A sphere with radius 3 cm and a cube with each edge labelled x cm

The surface area of the sphere is equal to the surface area of the cube.

Work out the side length, \(x\) cm, of the cube.
You must show your working.

[The surface area, \(A\), of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(A = 4\pi r^2\).] [5]

Foundation November 2024 Paper 3 Q20

OCRFoundationCurrent spec8 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

20

(a) The diagram shows the cross-section of a triangular prism.
Right-angled triangle with the two shorter sides 9 cm (vertical) and 12 cm (horizontal)

Not to scale

Work out the area of the cross-section. [2]

(b) This diagram shows the triangular prism.
Triangular prism lying on a rectangular face. The right-angled triangular end has sides 9 cm and 12 cm; the length of the prism is 20 cm

Not to scale

Work out the total surface area of the triangular prism.
You must show your working. [5]

(c) Two of these triangular prisms are joined to make a new prism.
Two of the triangular prisms joined along their sloping rectangular faces to make a cuboid; the joining face is shown as a diagonal across the cuboid

Give a reason why the total surface area of this prism is not two times your answer in part (b). [1]

Higher November 2024 Paper 6 Q10

OCRHigherCurrent spec6 marksVolume & Surface Area

10 A bowl in the shape of a hemisphere with radius 15 cm is used to collect raindrops.

A hemispherical bowl with radius 15 cm marked across the top

Assume each raindrop has the volume of a sphere of radius \(3 \times 10^{-4}\) cm.

Calculate how many raindrops it takes to completely fill the bowl.
Give your answer in standard form.
You must show your working.

[The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).] [6]

Higher November 2024 Paper 4 Q9

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

9 A cylinder has a radius of 8.4 cm.
The ratio of the radius of the cylinder to the height of the cylinder is 2 : 5.

Find the volume of the cylinder. [4]

Foundation June 2024 Paper 3 Q22

22 The diagram shows a regular pentagon made using ten congruent right-angled triangles.
The length of one side of the pentagon is 12 cm.

Regular pentagon divided into ten congruent right-angled triangles meeting at the centre; one side is labelled 12 cm and a right angle is marked where a line from the centre meets the midpoint of that side

Not to scale

(a) Show that the area of the pentagon is 247.75 cm\(^2\), correct to 2 decimal places. [6]
(b) The regular pentagon is the base of a pyramid.

The pyramid has volume 450 cm\(^3\).
The perpendicular height of the pyramid is \(h\) cm.

Calculate the value of \(h\).

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\dfrac{1}{3} \times\) area of base \(\times\) perpendicular height.] [3]

Higher June 2024 Paper 5 Q18

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

18 A sphere has radius \(x\) cm.
A cone has radius \(R\) cm and height \(2R\) cm.

The volume of the sphere is equal to the volume of the cone.

Write \(R\) in terms of \(x\).

[The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).

The volume \(V\) of a cone with radius \(r\) and height \(h\) is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\).] [4]

Higher June 2024 Paper 6 Q5

5 The diagram shows a regular pentagon made using ten congruent right-angled triangles.
The length of one side of the pentagon is 12 cm.

Regular pentagon with side 12 cm divided into ten congruent right-angled triangles meeting at the centre

Not to scale

(a) Show that the area of the pentagon is \(247.75\,\text{cm}^2\), correct to 2 decimal places. [6]
(b) The regular pentagon is the base of a pyramid.

The pyramid has volume \(450\,\text{cm}^3\).
The perpendicular height of the pyramid is \(h\) cm.

Calculate the value of \(h\).

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\frac{1}{3} \times \text{area of base} \times \text{perpendicular height}\).] [3]

Foundation June 2024 Paper 3 Q1

OCRFoundationCurrent spec4 marksPlans, Elevations & NetsVolume & Surface Area

1

(a) Write down the mathematical name of this solid.
Choose from the list in the box.

cone  cube  cylinder  prism  sphere

A triangular prism drawn in 3D with hidden edges dashed

[1]

(b) The diagram shows a cuboid.
Cuboid labelled 10 cm long, 7 cm high and 5 cm deep, hidden edges dashed
(i) How many edges does the cuboid have? [1]
(ii) The cuboid has dimensions 10 cm, 7 cm and 5 cm.

Work out the volume of the cuboid. [2]

Higher November 2023 Paper 6 Q11

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

11 The diagram shows a cone and a cube.
The cone has radius 8 cm and height 10 cm.

A cone with base radius 8 cm and vertical height 10 cm, next to a cube

The volume of the cone is equal to the volume of the cube.

Work out the length of one side of the cube.

[The volume \(V\) of a cone with radius \(r\) and height \(h\) is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\).] [4]

Foundation November 2023 Paper 1 Q8

OCRFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

8 The diagram shows a cuboid with dimensions 12 cm, 5 cm and \(x\) cm.

Cuboid with length 12 cm, height 5 cm and depth x cm, hidden edges dashed

Not to scale

The volume of the cuboid is 240 cm\(^3\).

Find the value of \(x\). [3]

Foundation June 2023 Paper 2 Q19

OCRFoundationCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

19 A sphere has a radius of 3 cm.

Calculate the volume of the sphere.
Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\) in its simplest form.
[The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).] [3]

Higher June 2023 Paper 6 Q14

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

14 The diagram shows a square-based pyramid ABCDE.
O is the centre of the base.

Square-based pyramid ABCDE with apex E above O, the centre of the base; base edges AB and BC are 20 cm and sloping edges EA and EC are 14.5 cm

The pyramid has base length 20 cm and each sloping edge has length 14.5 cm.

(a) Draw the plan view of the pyramid on the one-centimetre grid below.

Scale: 1 cm represents 4 cm.

Empty one-centimetre grid
[2]
(b) Calculate the volume of the pyramid.
You must show your working.

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\frac{1}{3}\) × area of base × perpendicular height] [5]

Foundation November 2022 Paper 3 Q25

OCRFoundationCurrent spec6 marksShow That & ProofVolume & Surface Area

25 A child has four identical wooden cubes of side length 6 cm.

Four identical cubes, each of side 6 cm
(a) They arrange the cubes in a 2 by 2 by 1 arrangement to form a cuboid.
Four cubes arranged as a 2 by 2 by 1 cuboid

Show that the surface area of the cuboid is 576 cm². [2]

(b) The child rearranges the cubes in a 4 by 1 by 1 arrangement to form a different cuboid.
Four cubes arranged in a row as a 4 by 1 by 1 cuboid

Calculate the percentage increase in surface area for this cuboid compared with the 2 by 2 by 1 cuboid.

.................... % [4]

Higher November 2022 Paper 4 Q12

OCRHigherCurrent spec6 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

12 The diagram shows a sphere and a cone.

A sphere of radius 4 cm, and a cone with vertex at the bottom, top radius 15 cm and height 30 cm, containing water to a depth of d cm

Not to scale

The sphere has radius 4 cm.
The cone has radius 15 cm and height 30 cm.

The sphere is completely filled with water.
The same amount of water is poured into the cone.

Work out the depth, \(d\) cm, of the water in the cone.
You must show your working.

[The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).
The volume \(V\) of a cone with radius \(r\) and height \(h\) is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\).] [6]

Higher November 2022 Paper 6 Q7

7 A child has four identical wooden cubes of side length 6 cm.

Four identical cubes, each of side 6 cm
(a) They arrange the cubes in a 2 by 2 by 1 arrangement to form a cuboid.
Four cubes arranged as a 2 by 2 by 1 cuboid

Show that the surface area of the cuboid is 576 cm2. [2]

(b) The child rearranges the cubes in a 4 by 1 by 1 arrangement to form a different cuboid.
Four cubes in a row forming a 4 by 1 by 1 cuboid

Calculate the percentage increase in surface area for this cuboid compared with the 2 by 2 by 1 cuboid. [4]

Foundation June 2022 Paper 3 Q26

OCRFoundationCurrent spec6 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

26 The diagram shows a triangular prism and a cube.
The ends of the prism are right-angled triangles with base 16 cm and height 12 cm.
The prism is 18 cm long.

Triangular prism with right-angled triangle ends, height 12 cm and base 16 cm, length 18 cm; and a cube

The volume of the prism is equal to the volume of the cube.
Find the surface area of the cube.
You must show your working. [6]

Foundation June 2022 Paper 1 Q25

OCRFoundationCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

25 The diagram shows a square-based pyramid and a sphere.

Square-based pyramid with base edges 12.3 cm and 12.3 cm and perpendicular height 15.7 cm, and a sphere with radius r cm

The pyramid has base length 12.3 cm and perpendicular height 15.7 cm.
The sphere has radius \(r\) cm.

The pyramid and the sphere have the same volume.

Work out the radius of the sphere.
You must show your working.

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\dfrac{1}{3} \times\) area of base \(\times\) perpendicular height.
The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).] [5]

Higher June 2022 Paper 6 Q20

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksSimilar ShapesVolume & Surface Area

20 Two pyramids, A and B, are mathematically similar.
Pyramid A has surface area 12 cm² and volume 8 cm³.
Pyramid B has surface area 75 cm².

Work out the volume of pyramid B.
You must show your working. [4]

Higher June 2022 Paper 6 Q10

OCRHigherCurrent spec6 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

10 The diagram shows a triangular prism and a cube.
The ends of the prism are right-angled triangles with base 16 cm and height 12 cm.
The prism is 18 cm long.

Triangular prism with a right-angled triangular end of base 16 cm and height 12 cm and length 18 cm, next to a cube

The volume of the prism is equal to the volume of the cube.

Find the surface area of the cube.
You must show your working. [6]

Higher June 2022 Paper 4 Q7

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

7 The diagram shows a square-based pyramid and a sphere.

A square-based pyramid with base edges 12.3 cm and 12.3 cm and perpendicular height 15.7 cm, and a sphere with radius r cm

The pyramid has base length 12.3 cm and perpendicular height 15.7 cm.
The sphere has radius \(r\) cm.

The pyramid and the sphere have the same volume.

Work out the radius of the sphere.
You must show your working.

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\frac{1}{3}\) × area of base × perpendicular height.
The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).] [5]

Foundation November 2021 Paper 2 Q17

17 The diagram shows a prism.

Triangular prism 8 cm long. The triangular end has base 6 cm and height 3 cm; the top vertex is above a point 4 cm from one end of the base. The sloping edge along the top is 5 cm

Not to scale

(a) Draw an accurate plan view of the prism on the one-centimetre square grid below.
Blank one-centimetre square grid

[3]

(b) Show that the volume of the prism is 72 cm\(^3\). [2]
(c) A cuboid with a square base also has a volume of 72 cm\(^3\).
The height of the cuboid is 2 cm.
Work out the length of one side of the square base. [3]

Higher November 2021 Paper 6 Q17

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

17 The diagram shows a pyramid ABCDE.

Square-based pyramid ABCDE with base sides AB and BC labelled 5.6 cm, vertex E above the centre O of the base, and height OE labelled 6.8 cm

Not to scale

The pyramid has a square horizontal base ABCD with side 5.6 cm.
The vertex E is vertically above the centre O of the base.
The height OE of the pyramid is 6.8 cm.

Calculate the surface area of the pyramid.
You must show your working. [5]

Higher November 2021 Paper 6 Q12

OCRHigherCurrent spec6 marksShow That & ProofVolume & Surface Area

12 A solid metal sphere has mass 235 g.
The density of the metal is 7.78 g/cm³.

Show that the surface area of this sphere is 46.9 cm², correct to 3 significant figures.
You must show your working.

[For a sphere with radius \(r\):   Volume \(= \dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\)   Surface area \(= 4\pi r^2\).] [6]

Foundation November 2021 Paper 3 Q10

OCRFoundationCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

10 A student has some cubes that are all the same size.
Each cube is 3 cm by 3 cm by 3 cm.
They put 4 of these cubes together to make this shape.

Four cubes joined face to face: two cubes side by side on the bottom, and two cubes side by side on top, shifted one cube to the right

Calculate the surface area of the shape. [4]

Higher November 2021 Paper 5 Q5

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

5 Work out the volume of this prism.

L-shaped prism of length 4 cm: the L-shaped cross-section has total width 6 cm, total height 3 cm, and the base and upright are each 1 cm thick

Not to scale

[4]

Higher November 2020 Paper 6 Q14

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

14 The base of a cone is fixed to the top of a cylinder to make a decoration.

A cone of height 5r on top of a cylinder of radius r; the total height of the decoration is 6r

The radius of the base of the cone and of the cylinder is \(r\) cm.
The cone’s height is \(5r\) cm.
The total height of the decoration is \(6r\) cm.
The total volume of the decoration is 225 cm3.

Calculate the value of \(r\).
Show your working.

[The volume \(V\) of a cone with radius \(r\) and height \(h\) is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\).] [5]

Higher November 2019 Paper 6 Q8

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

8 An octahedron is formed from two identical square based pyramids.
The square bases are stuck together as shown.

Two square based pyramids, one upside down, joined at their square bases to form an octahedron of height h cm

The volume of the octahedron is 60 cm3.
The length of the side of each pyramid’s square base is 5 cm.

Work out the height \(h\) cm of the octahedron.

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\frac{1}{3}\) × area of base × perpendicular height] [4]

Higher June 2019 Paper 6 Q18

OCRHigherCurrent spec4 marksVolume & Surface Area

18 A cone has radius \(r\) cm and height \(h\) cm.

Cone with base radius r cm and perpendicular height h cm

The height is three times the radius.
The volume of the cone is 2100 cm\(^3\).

Calculate the radius of the cone.

[The volume \(V\) of a cone with radius \(r\) and height \(h\) is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\).] [4]

Higher June 2019 Paper 6 Q14

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksPythagorasVolume & Surface Area

14 The length of the longest diagonal of a cube is 25 cm.

Calculate the total surface area of the cube. [5]

Higher November 2018 Paper 4 Q6

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

6 The diagram shows a cylinder and a sphere.

Cylinder of radius 12 cm and height 30 cm, and a sphere of radius r cm

The cylinder has radius 12 cm and height 30 cm.
The cylinder and the sphere have the same volume.

Work out the radius \(r\) cm of the sphere.

[The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).] [5]

Higher June 2018 Paper 5 Q14

OCRHigherCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

14 The diagram shows a cylinder and a cone.

Cylinder with radius 2 cm and height 9 cm; cone with radius r cm and height h cm

The cylinder has radius 2 cm and height 9 cm.
The cone has radius \(r\) cm and height \(h\) cm.

The ratio \(r : h\) is 1 : 4.
The volume of the cone is equal to the volume of the cylinder.

Work out the value of \(\boldsymbol{r}\).

[The volume \(V\) of a cone with radius \(r\) and height \(h\) is \(V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h\).] [5]

Higher June 2018 Paper 6 Q13

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksVolume & Surface Area

13

(a) Calculate the volume of a sphere with radius 6 cm.
Sphere with radius 6 cm

[The volume \(V\) of a sphere with radius \(r\) is \(V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\).] [2]

(b) An ornament is made from a solid glass square-based pyramid.
The base has side length 15 cm.
A hemisphere with radius 6 cm is cut out of the base of the pyramid.
This reduces the volume of glass contained in the ornament by 30%.
Square-based pyramid with base side 15 cm and a hemisphere of radius 6 cm cut out of the centre of its base

Calculate the perpendicular height of the pyramid.

[The volume of a pyramid is \(\frac{1}{3} \times\) area of base \(\times\) perpendicular height.
A hemisphere is half a sphere.] [5]

Higher November 2017 Paper 6 Q15

OCRHigherCurrent spec3 marksVolume & Surface Area

15 The following formula is for the area, \(A\), of the curved surface area of a cone.
\(A = \pi rl\), where \(r\) is the radius and \(l\) is the slant height of the cone.

Calculate the total surface area of a cone with radius 5 cm and slant height 12 cm.

........................................ cm2 [3]

Foundation November 2017 Paper 3 Q3

OCRFoundationCurrent spec5 marksVolume & Surface Area

3

(a) Calculate the volume of this cuboid.
Cuboid 2 cm by 4 cm by 6 cm

[2]

(b) In this cuboid all lengths are in centimetres.
Cuboid with edges 5, k and k

The cuboid has a volume of 320 cm\(^3\).

Find the value of \(k\). [3]

Foundation June 2017 Paper 3 Q22

OCRFoundationCurrent spec5 marksPrismsVolume & Surface Area

22

Cylinder of height 80 cm standing on top of a cuboid 90 cm by 90 cm by 150 cm high

A sculpture is formed from a cylinder resting on top of a cuboid.
The cylinder has radius 45 cm and height 80 cm.
The cuboid measures 90 cm by 90 cm by 150 cm.

The sculpture is made of granite.
The granite has a density of 2.7 g/cm\(^3\).

Calculate the total mass of the sculpture in tonnes. [5]