Mensuration
Mensuration
Mensuration
Mensuration
Lesson: Geometry
Mensuration
The mensuration of a particular figure, be it in the 2D or 3D plane, deals with the figure’s
measurements, which includes but is not limited to perimeter, area, surface area, and
volume. The former two more commonly apply to 2D polygons, while the latter two are
more towards the 3D polyhedrons.
Perimeter
The perimeter is the length of the path surrounding a 2-dimensional figure.
Area
In its barest bones, the area of a 2D figure is a measure of the space enclosed by that
figure.
Perimeter and Area for Special Polygons
Triangle x + y + z bh/2
- The base can be any
side of the triangle,
while the height is
the segment
perpendicular to this
base.
Square 4s s * s = s2 .
Rectangle 2l + 2w or 2(l + w) lw
Trapezoid x + y + z + w (x + z)/2 * h
Rhombus 4s pq/2
- p and q are the
lengths of the
diagonals of the
rhombus, or the
segments that
connect opposite
vertices.
Composite Figures
Usually, questions entail solving for the perimeter and area of a particular composite
figure, which is one that can be broken down into the many shapes listed above. We
challenge the readers to solve for both the perimeter and area of the following figures.
Volume
The volume of an object is simply amount of space occupied by that object.
Surface Area
Similarly, an object’s surface area is the total amount of area on the exterior of a
particular polygon.
Prism
Prisms are special types of 3D figures that have uniform height all throughout the solid.
Examples of prisms include the cube (square prism), the cuboid (rectangular prism), the
cylinder (circular prism), and the “Toblerone” (triangular prism). The volume of a prism is
simply area of the base * height, while its surface area is equal to (perimeter of base) *
height + 2 * (area of base).
Pyramids
Pyramids are are 3D figures that have a base where all its vertices converge at one point
in the 3D space, giving it a triangular shape. Examples of pyramids include cones
(circle-based pyramids). The volume of a pyramid is equal to ⅓ * area of base * height.
Volume and Surface Area of Common 3D figures
Cube 6s2 s3
3
Sphere 4πr2 4πr /3
Sources:
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/memg/division03/composite%202d%20figure/compo
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https://images.tutorvista.com/cms/images/67/compound-figure-examples.png