CURRICULUM FET

MATHEMATICAL LITERCAY
TUTORING BOOKLET

TOPIC: MEASUREMENT (SURFACE AREA &

VOLUME)
DATE: 20 APRIL 2024

BACK ONTRACK PROGRAMME

GRADE 10/12

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 SURFACE AREA & VOLUME
DATE: 20 APRIL 2024
HOW TO ANSWER/APPROACH A MEASUREMENT QUESTION:
The following steps can be used for any measurement calculation:

The following diagram is of a rectangular prism planter box used to plant flowers and vegetables. The plater
box is made from recycled plastic material.

Picture of the rectangular planter box Dimensions of the planter box

Length = 1,5 m

Width = 45 cm

Height = 400 mm

Volume of a rectangular prism = length × width × height

NOTE: 1 litre = 1 000 cm3

Use the information above to answer the following questions:

Calculate the volume, in cm3, of recycled plastic needed to make the recycled plastic planter box if the planter
box can hold a maximum of 180 litres.
STEP 1:
Read through the question and determine the unit that the answer must be given in.
In this example it is cm3.
This means that all the units of measurement involved in this question must be converted to cm before any
calculations can be done.
STEP 2:
Convert all the relevant dimensions to cm.

÷
You will have to know
10 100 1 000 this and will not be
mm ↔ cm ↔ m ↔ km given to you.

×
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Length = 1,5 m
⸫ Length in cm = 1,5 × 100
Length = 150 cm

Height = 400 mm
⸫ Height in cm = 400 mm ÷ 10
Height = 40 cm

CONVERTED DIMENSIONS:
Length = 150 cm
Width = 45 cm
Height = 40 cm

STEP 3:

Substitute the dimensions into the correct formulae (Mostly given, but will have to know basic formulae)

Volume of a rectangular prism = length × width × height

Volume = 150 × 45 × 40
Volume = 270 000 cm3

From this we should be able to make the conclusion that this is the volume for the whole rectangular prism.

STEP 4:

The planter box has a capacity of 180 litres. This means the following:

Volume of planter box = recycled plastic used + empty space in planter box (the capacity given)

⸫ 180 litres (capacity of planter box) needs to be converted to cm3

GIVEN 1 litre = 1 000 cm3

⸫ 180 litre × 1 000 = 180 000 cm3

We can now just substitute and calculate the missing amount.

Volume of planter box = recycled plastic used + empty space in planter box (the capacity given)

270 000 cm3 = recycled plastic used + 180 000 cm3

⸫ recycled plastic used = 270 000 cm3 – 180 000 cm3

Recycled plastic used = 90 000cm3

STEPS 1 – 3 WILL PROBABLY BE USED IN MOST MEASURMENT CALCULATIONS.

STEP 4 WILL ONLY BE USED IN THE MORE COMPLEX MEASUREMENT QUESTIONS.

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SURFACE AREA:

SUMMARY OF SURFACE AREA:

What is the difference between Area and Surface Area?

Area refers to the area occupied by a two-dimensional flat surface and Surface Area is the area of all
the exposed surfaces of a three-dimensional (3-D) object.

Even though the Surface area works with 3-D objects the unit of measurement is still squared units
(mm2, cm2, m2, km2, in2, ft2, mile2 etc.)

The following table gives a summary of the formulae for surface area but the shapes that will be
assessed can be different.

SHAPE RECTANGULAR CUBE CYLINDER

PRISM

FORMULA Surface Area = Surface Area = Surface Area = 2r2+2rh

2(l×b) + 2(l×h) + 2(b×h), 6 (side × side) or 2r(r + h)
Where:
l = length, b = breadth and h = height

SHAPE TRIANGULAR PRISM

S3 S2
h
b/S1 L
FORMULA Surface area = (Perimeter of the base × Length of the prism) + (2 × Base
Area)
= (S1 +S2 + S3)L + bh
Where:
h = height, b/S1 = breadth and L = length
S1 = a side of triangle which can be the base in relation to the perpendicular height,
S2 = second side of triangle
S3 = third side of triangle

It is very important to remember that all the units must be the same before any calculations are done
and that we use the radius when working with cylinders and not the diameter.

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EXAMPLE QUESTION: SURFACE AREA

Juice boxes are so convenient – just poke the straw in and sip away.

The juice boxes are generally in the shape of rectangular prisms and with this shape it makes it easy to
calculate the amount of packaging material (surface area) that was required to make the box.

The diagram below shows a typical juice box with dimensions.

Height
4 inches

Width
Length
5,08 cm
7,62 cm

A Calculate the height of the juice box if 1 inch = 2,54 cm.

B Calculate the total surface area of the juice box in cm2.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = 2(l × w) + 2(l × h) + 2(w × h)

EXAMPLE QUESTION ANSWERS:

A Here you need to use the conversion factor given (1 inch = 2,54 cm) to convert the height to
centimetre.

⸫ 4 inches × 2,54 cm per inch

= 10,16 cm

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B To calculate the surface area, we need to substitute the values into given formulae seeing that
all values are given and is relevant.

⸫ Surface Area = 2(length × width) + 2(length × height) + 2(width × height)

Length = 7,62 cm
Width = 5,08 cm
Height = 10,16 cm

Surface Area = 2(7,62 × 5,08) + 2(7,62 × 10,16) + 2(5,08 × 10,16)

Surface Area = 77,4192 cm2 + 154,8384 cm2 + 103,2256 cm2
Surface Area = 335,4832 cm2

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LEARNER ACTIVITIES: SURFACE AREA
Complete these activities as a time-based exercise. This means that you should work at a rate of
approximately one mark per minute. This will prepare you to work at the pace required to complete
the NSC examination within the allotted time frame.

QUESTION 1:

Bar One is one of the most popular chocolates in South Africa. The Bar One consists of malted
nougat with a caramel topping and covered in milk chocolate.

The chocolate bar is in the shape of a rectangular prism as shown in the diagram below.

PICTURE OF A BAR ONE DIAGRAM OF A BAR ONE

CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE WITH DIAGRAMS

Use the information above to answer the following questions:

1.1 Calculate the surface area (in cm2) of the Bar One Chocolate that needs to be covered
with chocolate.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = 2(length × width) + 2(length × height) + 2(width × height) (5)

1.2 To ensure the chocolate bar stays fresh and lasts longer, they are wrapped in a special
foil wrapping.

The wrapping used is 11,75% more that the surface area of the chocolate bar.

Calculate how much wrapping is needed for one Bar One chocolate bar. (3)

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1.3 Bar One is made in South Africa and exported to India.

It is one of the top 5 most popular chocolate bars in India.

During the exporting process the chocolate bars are packed into a refrigerated shipping
container to ensure that they remain fresh.

An example of a refrigerated shipping container is shown below:

PICTURE OF A REFRIGERATED SHIPPING CONTAINER WITH

DIMENSIONS.

Area = 2,59m2

The area needed for the compressor of the refrigeration container is 2,59 m2.

Use the following information to answer the question that follow:

1.3.1 Calculate the surface area (in m2) of the refrigerated container.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = [2(length × width) + 2(length × height) + 2(width × height)]

– area needed for the compressor (4)

1.3.2 The Epicon Marine Finish paint that is used to paint the containers has a spread
rate of 8 m2 per litre.

Calculate the amount of paint required (rounded to full litres) to paint the
shipping container with two coats of paint. (4)

1.3.3 The Epicon Marine Finish paint is sold at R1 154,71 per 5 litre can.

Calculate the cost to paint 10 shipping containers with the Marine Finish paint. (6)
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QUESTION 2

2.1 The most popular cool drink in the world is Coca-Cola or also known as Coke.

This iconic red can that has white calligraphy on it can be found in most countries in the
world.

The Coca-Cola can is made from Alumina (aluminium and trace amounts of other metals)
material that costs R25,75 VAT inclusive per dozen of cans.

The following diagram shows an image of an example of a Coca-Cola can with dimensions
as well as the net of a cylinder.

PICTURE OF A COCA–COLA CAN NET OF A CYLINDER

Use the following information to answer the question to follow.

2.1.1 Calculate the surface area of the Coca-Cola can.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = 2πr (r + h); where π = 3,142 (4)

2.1.2 Calculate the cost, excluding VAT, of the Alumina material per can. (4)

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2.2 David and James started their own business where they use oil drums and galvanised iron
pipes and makes a braai stand.
They cut these oil drums in half and use one half for a braai.

They paint the outside of these drums and all the legs with heat resistant paint and sell
them to the public.

The following table shows an image of an example of the braai stand as well as a
diagram with the dimensions.

PICTURE OF A BRAAI STAND WITH DIMENSIONS

Radius
0,28 m

Total area of the legs to be painted

= 0,08 m2

The area of the legs of the braai stand is 0,08 m2 per braai stand.

Use the information above to answer the following.

2.2.1 Calculate the total surface area (in m2) of the braai drum to be painted with the
heat resistant paint.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = ½ [(2 × π × r2) + 2(π × r × h)]; where π = 3,142 (5)

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2.2.2 David and James used the Duram NS7 Heat Resistant paint for the exterior of
the braai stand.

The heat resistant paint has a spread rate of 6 m2 per litre.

Calculate the amount of paint (in litres) that is required to paint the braai stand
with three coats. (3)

2.2.3 The Duram NS7 Heat Resistant paint is sold at R599,00 per litre.

Calculate the cost to paint 20 braai stands. (3)

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QUESTION 3:

The RCL of South Bank High School decides that they will have a fundraiser at their school
and made chocolates to sell to the learners and the community.

They use a mould that allows them to make triangular prism chocolates.

They need to wrap the chocolates in a foil wrapping that is 10% more than the surface area of
the chocolates.

The diagrams below show the dimensions of the two different shapes of the chocolates.

TRIANGULAR PRISM CHOCOLATES

Each side (s) of the triangle = 4 cm

Height (h) of the triangle = 3,5 cm
Height/Length (l) of the prism = 1,5 cm

Use the information above and answer the questions that follow:

3.1 Calculate the surface area (in cm2) of the triangular prism chocolate.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = (S1 +S2 + S3)l + s × h

(3)

3.2 Calculate the amount of foil wrapping needed for the chocolate. (3)

3.3 The foil wrapping that they will use is sold at a price of R40 per 1 m2.

Calculate the cost of the foil wrapping per chocolate if 1 m2 = 10 000 cm2. (4)

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VOLUME
SUMMARY OF VOLUME

What is volume?

Volume is a measurement of how much space a three-dimensional object takes up.

This is always measured in cubic units – (units3); for example, mm3, cm3, m3, km3, in3, ft3, mile3 etc.

The following table gives a summary of the formulae for volume but the shapes that will be assessed
can be different.

SHAPE RECTANGULAR BOX CUBE

FORMULA Volume = length × width × height Volume = side × side × side / (side)3
SHAPE CYLINDER TRIANGULAR PRISM

Volume =  × radius2 × height Volume = ½ base × ⊥ height × height

It is very important to remember that all the units must be the same before any calculations are done and
that we use the radius when working with cylinders and not the diameter.

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EXAMPLE QUESTION: VOLUME

NY High School bought water tanks to collect rainwater that they can use to water the flower beds.

The measurements of the specific water tank are given below:

Use the information above to answer the questions that follow:

A Calculate the radius of the water tank.

B Calculate the volume of the water tank in m3.

You may use the following formula:

Volume = π × r2 × h; where π = 3,142

C Calculate the amount of water in litres that this water tank can occupy.

NOTE: 1 m3 = 1 000 litre.

EXAMPLE QUESTION ANSWERS:

A Radius = diameter ÷ 2
Radius = 1,4 m ÷ 2
Radius = 0,7 m

B Volume = 3,142 × 0,72 × 2,1

Volume = 3,23 m3

C Volume in litres = 3,233118 × 1 000

Volume = 3 230 litres
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LEARNER ACTIVITIES: VOLUME
Complete these activities as a time-based exercise. This means that you should work at a rate of approximately
one mark per minute. This will prepare you to work at the pace required to complete the NSC examination
within the allotted time frame.

QUESTION 4:

Due to a drought in his town, Mr Andrews needs to purchase a water tank for his property as he
is a lover of flowers.

He bought the following water tank at his local hardware store and had it installed on his
property.

PICTURE OF A CYLINDRICAL DIAGRAM OF A WATER TANK WITH

WATER TANK DIMENSIONS

All measurements are in millimetres.

NOTE: 1 m3 = 1 kilolitre

Use the information above and answer the questions that follow:

4.1 Calculate the radius (in metres) of the water tank. (3)

4.2 Calculate the volume (in m3) of the water tank.

You may use the following formula:

Volume = πr2 × h; where π = 3,142 (3)

4.3 Calculate the volume of water (in kilolitres) in the water tank if it is filled to 85% of the
capacity. (3)
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QUESTION 5:

The boundaries in cricket used to be indicated by a thick rope, this caused some injuries to the
fielders as they attempted to stop a boundary from being scored.

Since the early 2000’s they introduced the triangular prism wedges that is made from high density
foam.

The picture below shows an example of these wedges.

PICTURE OF A WEDGE USED FOR THE BOUNDARY ROPE IN CRICKET.

h = height of the triangle

h = 0,2165 m

Use the information above and answer the questions that follow:

5.1 Calculate the volume of foam (in cm3) used to make one of these boundary wedges.

You may use the following formula:

Volume = ½ base × ⊥ height of the triangle × height/length of the triangular prism (3)

5.2 The minimum distance around a cricket field for a professional match is 138m.

Calculate the volume of foam needed for all the wedges required for a cricket field with
a perimeter of 138 metres. (2)

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QUESTION 6

Jeremy is busy with renovations at his house and wants to build a swimming pool for his
children.

He is building a simple rectangular swimming pool that has a uniform depth across the whole
pool.

The diagram below shows and example of a rectangular swimming pool as well as a diagram
with the dimensions.

EXAMPLE OF A RECTANGULAR DIAGRAM OF THE SWIMMING POOL IN

SWIMMING POOL THE FORM OF A RECTANGULAR
PRISM WITH DIMENSIONS:

1,5 m

7m

4m

NOTE: 1 m3 = 1 kilolitre

Use the information above and answer the questions that follow:

6.1 Calculate the capacity (in m3) that this swimming pool will be able to take.

You may use the following formula:

Volume = length × width × depth (2)

6.2 Jeremy will fill his pool to 85% of the capacity.

Calculate the cost to fill the pool if he uses a company that supplies pool water at a rate
of R10 per kilolitres (4)

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LEARNER ACTIVITIES: COMBINED
QUESTION 7:

WA Water is a company that sells filtered water to the public.

People can bring their own containers and pay according to the volume they bought.

They want to buy a water tank but want to limit the amount of material used.

They have the following two options available that have the similar volume:

CYLINDRICAL WATER TANK RECTANGULAR WATER TANK

Radius
1m
Height
Height 2,1 m
2m

Width
1,5 m
Length
2m
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Surface Area of cylinder = 2r2+2rh Volume =  × radius2 × height
Surface Area of rectangular prism = Volume of rectangular prism =
2(l×b) + 2(l×h) + 2(b×h), length × width × height

Where applicable use π = 3,142

Use the information above and answer the questions that follow:

7.1 Verify by means of calculations that the two water tanks shown above has a similar
volume. (5)

7.2 The material used to make both the water tanks cost the same.

Show by means of calculations which water tank will use less material by calculating
the Surface Area of both. (5)

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QUESTION 8:

Water is scarce is South Africa. The average annual rain fall is 464 mm.

89% of South Africans has access to safe drinking water. Some of the other rural areas makes use
of water tanks to collect the rainwater.

The following diagram indicates an example of a water tank used to collect rainwater.

IMAGE OF A WATER TANK USED TO DIAGRAM OF WATER TANK WITH

COLLECT WATER DIMENSIONS

Inner
Diameter
7m

Height
6m

NOTE: 1 m3 = 1 000 litre.

Use the information above and answer the questions that follow:

8.1 The inner surface of the water tank will be painted with a waterproofing paint to ensure
that no water will leak out of the tank.

Calculate the inner surface area (in m2) of the water tank.

You may use the following formula:

Surface Area = 2r2+2rh; where π = 3,142 (4)

8.2 The waterproofing paint used has a spread rate of 6 m2 per litre and costs R185 per litre.

Calculate how much it will cost to paint the water tank with two layers of waterproofing
paint. (4)

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8.3 Calculate the volume of water that this water tank can collect.

You may use the following formula:

Volume = π × radius2 × height (2)

8.4 The outlet in the water tank has a flow rate of 15 litres per minute.

Calculate how long (in hours and minutes) it will take for the tank to be emptied if the
tap is continuously running. (4)

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