Mensuration Formula And Questions for 2D and 3D Shapes

For any competitive exam, Understanding the Mensuration Formulas is very important. Learn the Mensuration Formula for 2D and 3D Shapes from the article below to ace the exam.

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Mensuration Formula

Mensuration Formula: Mensuration is a fundamental branch of mathematics that is used to measure and analyze various geometric figures and shapes. It involves calculating the areas, volumes, and other properties of shapes. Mensuration formulas provide efficient shortcuts to calculate these measurements quickly and accurately. Mensuration is an important topic in quantitative aptitude, which is a section of many competitive exams. To excel in quantitative aptitude, you need to know the mensuration formulas and concepts used to solve questions. This article provides a comprehensive list of essential mensuration formulas, along with explanations to help you understand and apply them.

What are 2D and 3D shapes?

2D Shapes- In geometry, a two-dimensional shape is a flat plane figure or a shape that has only two dimensions i.e. length and width. Two-dimensional or 2-D shapes do not possess any thickness and can be measured in only two faces. Only the area and perimeter of 2D shapes can be calculated.
3D Shapes- A three-dimensional shape is where the figure has three dimensions namely length, width, and thickness. We calculate volume, curved surface area, and the total surface area of 3D shapes.

Mensuration Formula of 2D Shapes

Check out the formula for the area and perimeter of some of the 2D shapes:

Shape	Area (Square units)	Perimeter (units)
Square	a²	4a
Rectangle	l × b	2 ( l + b)
Circle	πr²	2 π r
Scalene Triangle	√[s(s−a)(s−b)(s−c)], Where, s = (a+b+c)/2	a+b+c
Isosceles Triangle	½ × b × h	2a + b
Equilateral Triangle	(√3/4) × a²	3a
Right Angle Triangle	½ × b × h	b + hypotenuse + h
Rhombus	½ × d1 × d2	4 × side
Parallelogram	b × h	2(l+b)
Trapezium	½ h(a+b)	a+b+c+d

Mensuration Formula of 3D Shapes

Check out the formula for some of the 3D shapes in geometry:

Shape	Volume (Cubic units)	Curved Surface Area (CSA) or Lateral Surface Area (LSA) (Square units)	Total Surface Area (TSA) (Square units)
Cube	a³	4 a²	6 a²
Cuboid	l × b × h	2 h (l + b)	2 (lb +bh +hl)
Sphere	(4/3) π r³	4 π r²	4 π r²
Hemisphere	(⅔) π r³	2 π r²	3 π r²
Cylinder	π r² h	2π r h	2πrh + 2πr²
Cone	(⅓) π r² h	π r l	πr (r + l)

Mensuration Questions

Q1. The radius of a cylinder is 10 cm and the height is 4 cm. The number of centimeters that may be added either to the radius or to the height to get the same increase in the volume of the cylinder is :
(a) 5
(b) 4
(c) 25
(d) 16

Ans. (a)
Sol.
Let ‘a’ cm is added in radius and height
π(10+a)²4 = π (10)² (4 +a)
(10+a)²4 = 10² (4 +a)
⇒ a = 5 cm

Q2. PQRS is a rectangle. The ratio of the sides PQ and QR is 3: 1. If the length of the diagonal PR is 10 cm, then what is the area (in cm²) of the rectangle?

(a) 15
(b) 30
(c) 45
(d) 20

Ans.(b)
Sol.

PQRS is a rectangle
PR = 10 given
PQ : QR = 3 : 1
In ∆PQR
9x² + x² = 100
10x² = 100
x = √10
Area of rectangle = 3x × 1x
= 3x²
= 3 × 10
= 30

Q3. The base of a prism is in the shape of an equilateral triangle. If the perimeter of the base is 18 cm and the height of the prism is 20 cm, then what is the volume (in cm³) of the prism?
(a) 180√3
(b) 30√6
(c) 60√2
(d) 120√3

Ans. (A)
Sol.

Given:-
Perimeter = 18 &height=20
Hence ,Side = 6
The volume of prism = area of base × height
= √3/4×6 × 6 × 20
V = 180√3 cm3

Q4. The height of a cone is 24 cm and the area of the base is 154 cm². What is the curved surface area (in cm²) of the cone?

(a) 484
(b) 550
(c) 525
(d) 515

Ans.(B)
Sol. Area of base = 154
πr² = 154
22/7×r^2=154
r = 7

Height = 24
Radius = 7
Slant height(ℓ) = √(h²+r² )
ℓ =√(24²+7² )
ℓ=25
C.S.A. = πrℓ
= 22/7×7×25
C.S.A. ⇒ 550 cm²

Q5. A right circular solid cylinder has a radius of the base of 7 cm and height is 28 cm. It is melted to form a cuboid such that the ratio of its side is 2 : 3: 6. What is the total surface area (in cm²) cuboid?
(a)72 ∛(( (1078)²)/(9²))
(b) ∛(2156/9)
(c) ∛(2148/3)
(d) ∛(2048/3)

Ans. (A)
Sol. According to the question, a cylinder is transforming into a cuboid as shown in the figure below

The volume of cylinder = volume of a cuboid
22/7×7×7×28=2x×3x×6x
x^3=1078/9 ⇒x=∛(1078/9)
T. Surface area of cuboid = 2 [ℓb + bh + hℓ] =2×(1078/9)^(2/3) [2×3+3×6+6×2] T.S.A.=72×(1078/9)^(2/3)

Q6. ABCDEF is a regular hexagon. What is the ratio of the area of triangle ACE and the area of triangle AEF?
(a) 6: 1
(b) 4: 1
(c) 3: 1
(d) 5: 1

Ans.(c)
Sol.

Given is a regular hexagon
In a regular hexagon, there are 6 equilateral triangles as shown by the dotted line
Area of ∆ACE = 1/2×[Area of 6 equilateral triangles] = 3 equilateral triangles.
Area of ∆AEF = 1/2×[Area of 2 equilateral ∆] = 1 equilateral triangle.
Hence ratio of
Area ACE : Area AEF = 3 : 1

Numerically proved
Let the length of the side of the hexagon = 12
Interior angle ∠ABC = ((x–2)×180)/n = ((6–2)×180)/6 = 120
Area of ∆ABC = 1/2×AB×BC×sin⁡120
=1/2×12×12×cos⁡30
Area of ∆ABC = 36√3
Similarly
Area ∆CDE = Area ∆AEF = 36√3
Area of hexagon = 6×√3/4×12×12 = 216√3
Area of ACE = Area of hexagon – [Area of ∆ABC + ∆CDE + ∆AEF] = 216√3 –108√3
= 108√3
∴ Area of ACE: Area of AEF = 108√3 ∶36√3
= 3: 1

Q7. ABCD is a trapezium. Sides AB and CD are parallel to each other. AB = 6 cm, CD = 18 cm, BC = 8 cm and AD = 12 cm. A line parallel to AB divides the trapezium into two parts of an equal perimeter. This line cuts BC at E and AD at F. If BE/EC = AF/FD, then what is the value of BE/EC?
(a) 1/2
(b) 2
(c) 4
(d) 1/4
Ans.(c)
Sol.

All given values are shown in the diagram
Let BE = x then EC = 8 – x
BE/EC=AF/FD (condition given)
Reverse the given condition & add 1 on both sides
EC/BE+1=FD/AF+1
(EC+BE)/BE=(FD+AF)/AF⇒BC/BE=AD/AF …(i)
Put values in eq. (i) → 8/x=12/AF AF=3x/2 & FD=12–3x/2
Now perimeter FABE = FECD
FA + AB + BE + FE = EC + CD + DF + FE
3x/2+6+x=8 –x+18+(12–3x/2)
5x = 32
x=32/5=BE, hence EC=8 –32/5=8/5
∴ BE/EC=(32/5)/(8/5)=4

FAQs

What are 2D and 3D shapes?

In geometry, a two-dimensional shape is a flat plane figure or a shape that has only two dimensions i.e. length and width. A three-dimensional shape is where the figure has three dimensions namely length, width and thickness.

What is Mensuration?

Mensuration is the branch of mathematics that deals with measurements of different figures and shapes of geometry. It involves the calculation of areas, volumes, etc of shapes.