WAEC WAEC Nigeria General Mathematics

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(Volumes)

Volume of 3D Shapes (prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones & spheres)

Volume

 

What is Volume?

Volume is the measure of how much space a 3D shape occupies.
It is measured in cubic units such as cm3cm^3, m3m^3, mm3mm^3, etc. You need to be able to calculate the volume of:

  • Cubes & Cuboids

  • Prisms

  • Cylinders

  • Pyramids

  • Cones

  • Spheres

 

Volume of Common 3D Shapes

Cube & Cuboid:

V=lwhV = lwh
 
 
diagram of cube and cuboid
 

where:

  • l = length

  • w = width

  • h = height

 

Prism:

V=A×lV = A \times l

 

diagram of a prism

 

where:

  • A = area of cross-section

  • l = length of the prism

 

Cylinder:

V=πr2hV = \pi r^2h

 

diagram of a cylinder

 

where:

  • r = radius of the circular base

  • h = height

 

Pyramid:

V=13AhV = \frac{1}{3}Ah
 
 
pyramids diagram (square based and triangle based)
 

where:

  • A = base area

  • h = perpendicular height

 

Cone:

V=13πr2hV = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2h
 
diagram of a cone

where:

  • r = radius of base

  • h = perpendicular height

 

Sphere:

V=43πr2V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^2
 
diagram of a sphere

where:

  • r = radius

 

Example: Volume of a Pyramid

Given a square based pyramid as follows:

  • Height (h) = 15 cm

  • length = 6cm

  • width = 6cm

 

diagram of a square based pyramid

 

 

Step 1: Use the Pyramid Formula

V=13AhV = \frac{1}{3}Ah
 

Step 2: Find the base area AA

A=6×6A = 6 \times 6
A=36A = 36
 

Step 3: Use Formula to find Volume

V=13Ah 13×36×15=180V = \frac{1}{3}Ah \\  \frac{1}{3} \times 36 \times 15 = 180

 

Final Answer: 180cm3180 cm^3

 

 

Tuity Tip

Hover me!

 Only memorise the formula for cuboids—others are given in the exam.

Check units carefully—ensure all dimensions are in the same unit before calculating.

For cylinders, cones, and spheres, leave answers in terms of π unless otherwise stated. For pyramids and cones, use the perpendicular height (not the slant height).

Use a calculator when needed to avoid errors in multiplication.

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