Far Eastern University

Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts

___________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 12:
3

Meeting 12: 2 hours

Lessons: Mensuration of Frustum of a Regular Pyramid. Discussion and demonstration of properties, .
volume and surface area of frustum of a regular pyramid.

Learners Outcome:
At the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to

1. define, identify and illustrate frustum of a regular pyramid and its basic formula.
2. solve and use surface area and volume of frustum of a regular pyramid in various application.

FRUSTUM OF A REGULAR PYRAMID

When a pyramid is cut through by a plane parallel to its base, the portion of the pyramid
between the cutting plane and the base is called a frustum of a pyramid. The perpendicular
distance between the two bases is the altitude h.

𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

𝑩𝟏

𝒍
𝒉 , 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒

𝑩𝟐

lowe𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒

If the pyramid is a regular pyramid, each of the lateral face of the frustum of the pyramid is an
isosceles trapezoid. The slant height of a frustum of a regular pyramid is the altitude of a face, as the
distance between midpoints of the edges of upper and lower base. The lateral edges of a frustum of a
regular pyramid are equal, and the lateral faces are congruent isosceles trapezoids.
 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

SURFACE AREAS OF A FRUSTUM OF A REGULAR PYRAMID

The lateral area of a frustum of a regular pyramid is equal to one-half the sum of the perimeters of the
bases multiplied by the slant height. Where:
𝐿𝐴 = 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎.
𝑃 = 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓.
𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑃 = 𝑛(𝒔𝟐 )
𝑝 = 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓.
𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑝 = 𝑛(𝒔𝟏 )
𝑙 = 𝑆𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝑎 = 𝒔𝟏 = 𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟
𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒
𝑏 = 𝒔𝟐 = 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟.
𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒
𝑛 = 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓
𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
; 𝑒 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓
LA= < (p + P)l 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒

The TOTAL AREA (TA) of the frustum of a regular pyramid is equal to the sum of the lateral
area and the areas of the bases. Where:
𝑇𝐴 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎.
TA = LA + B; + B< 𝑃 = 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓
𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
1
TA = (p + P)l + B; + B< 𝑃 = 𝑛(𝒔𝟐 )
2 𝑝 = 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓
𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑝 = 𝑛(𝒔𝟏 )
𝑙 = 𝑆𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
ℎ = 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒
VOLUME OF A FRUSTUM OF A REGULAR PYRAMID 𝑓𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑚
𝑩𝟏 = 𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
𝑩𝟐 = 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
The volume V of the frustum of a pyramid is equal to the sum of the areas of the bases
and the mean proportional between the bases multiplied by one-third of the altitude.

h
V = VB; + B< + WB; B< X
3 NOTE:
Dealing with frustum of
a regular pyramid will
lead you to either right
trapezoid or isosceles
trapezoid.
Focus on which
trapezoid you are
dealing at the moment.

Review trapezoid!!!
 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1) A frustum of a pyramid has a rectangular end, the sides of the lower base being 20m and
32m. If the area of the upper base is 700 m< and the height of the frustum is 50m, find its
volume.

2) A square pyramid 12m high is cut 8m from the vertex to form a frustum of a pyramid with a
volume of 190 cme . Find the base edge of the lower base of the frustum of a pyramid.

3) Find the cost of painting the lateral surface of an octagonal tower, whose slant height is 7m
at the rate of Php700 per sqm. The length of each side of the lower base is 1.5m and the
upper base is 1m. Find also the volume of the octagonal tower.

4) The base edges of a frustum of a regular square pyramid are 10 and 6cm. If the lateral edge
of the frustum is 20cm., find the surface area and the volume of the frustum.

SOLUTIONS:

Problem 1. A frustum of a pyramid has a rectangular end, the sides of the lower base being
20m and 32m. If the area of the upper base is 700 m< and the height of the
frustum is 50m, find its volume.
Solution: Find: Volume of Frustum = = 𝑽
Given: ℎg = 50𝑚
=𝑽
<
𝑩 = 𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝒎𝟐 𝐵; = 700 𝑚 , upper base area
𝟏

𝒉𝒇
𝒉𝒇 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒎 𝑽= V𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 + W𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐 X Use volume formula.
𝟑
Solve lower base
area using base
Solve for, B< times height.
𝐵< = (32)(20) = 640
𝑚<
since B< < B; , then it is an
𝒎
𝟑𝟐 𝟐𝟎 inverted pyramid
𝒎

𝟓𝟎
𝑽= V𝟕𝟎𝟎 + 𝟔𝟒𝟎 + W(𝟕𝟎𝟎)(𝟔𝟒𝟎)X
𝟑
𝑽 = 𝟑𝟑, 𝟒𝟑𝟖. 𝟗 𝒎𝟑
 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

Problem 2. A square pyramid 12m high is cut 8m from the vertex to form a frustum of a pyramid with a
volume of 190 me . Find the base edge of the lower base of the frustum of a pyramid.

Solution: Find: Lower Base Edge = s<

𝐴
Given: V = 190 me
ℎy = 12 𝑚, height of pyramid
𝟖 𝒎
Use the given volume, V
𝒉𝒑 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒎 𝒉𝒇
𝑽= V𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 + W𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐 X
𝑩 𝟑
𝐶
hu = 12 − 8 = 4 m , height of frustum
𝒔𝟏
𝒔𝟏

𝒉𝒇 Solve , 𝐵; : Since volume is given,

use the volume formula
B; = s; < and compute the area of
upper and lower bases.
B< = s< <
𝐷 For triangle ABC and
𝐸 Similar triangle: ADE, since the two are
𝒔𝟐 𝑠< similar, use the
𝒔𝟐 12 x relationship between
=𝑠 2 similar figures.
8 ;x
2
3 𝑠< Since we are after with
𝟖 𝒎 = s2, express s1 in terms of
2 𝑠; s2.
𝒔𝟏 2𝑠<
x𝟐
𝑠; = With the volume
3 formula, substitute the
𝒉𝒑 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒎 necessary values and see
𝐵; = 𝑠; <
to it that the only
2𝑠< < unknown is s2.
𝐵; = z {
3
4𝑠< <
𝒔𝟐 𝐵; =
x𝟐 9
𝒉𝒇
𝑽= V𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 + W𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐 X
𝟑
4 4𝑠< < 4𝑠< < <
𝑉= } + 𝑠< < + ~ 𝑠 •
3 9 9 <

4 4𝑠< < 2𝑠< <

𝑉= € + 𝑠< < + •
3 9 3

4 4𝑠< < + 9𝑠< < + 6𝑠< <

𝑉= € •
3 9
4 19𝑠< <
190 = € •
3 9 𝑠< < = 67.5
190(3)(9) 𝒔𝟐 = 𝟖. 𝟐𝟐 𝒎
𝑠< < =
4(19)
 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________
Problem 3. Find the cost of painting the lateral surface of an octagonal tower, whose slant height is 7m
at the rate of Php700 per sqm. The length of each side of the lower base is 1.5m and
the upper base is 1m. Find also the volume of the octagonal tower.
Solution: 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅: 𝑻𝑪
= cost of painting of lateral face
𝑽 = volume of frustum
1.0
Given: 𝑠; = 1 𝑚, upper base edge
s< = 1.5 m, lower base edge

l = 7 m, slant height
Œ••
UC = Php Ž• , unit cost of painting works

𝒉𝒇
For Total Cost, 𝑻𝑪:
𝒍
TC = (area to be painted)(unit cost)
Since unit cost is per
𝑻𝑪 = (𝑳𝑨)(𝑼𝑪) unit area, then it is the
𝟏 area to be painted that
𝑳𝑨 = (𝒑 + 𝑷)𝒍 needs to be solved, and
𝟐 that is the lateral area
LA.
𝑝 = 𝑛𝑠; Perimeter of the upper base
1.5
𝑝 = (8)(1) = 8𝑚 With LA:
Compute p and P
where n, number of
𝑃 = 𝑛 𝑠< Perimeter of the lower base
sides of the base, is 8
𝑃 = (8)(1.5) = 12𝑚 for octagon.

𝟏 Thus, LA can now be

𝑳𝑨 = (𝟖 + 𝟏𝟐)𝟕 = 𝟕𝟎𝒎𝟐 solved.
𝟐
𝑷𝒉𝒑 𝟕𝟎𝟎 Multiply the area LA by
𝑻𝑪 = (𝟕𝟎𝒎𝟐 )( ) = 𝑷𝒉𝒑 𝟒𝟗, 𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝒎𝟐 the unit cost to get the
1.0 total cost.
For volume of frustum, V:
𝒂𝟏

𝒉𝒇 For V:
𝑽= V𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 + W𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐 X Use volume formula,
𝟑
solve B1, B2, and hf.

𝒉𝒇 𝒍 = 𝟕𝒎 Area of the upper base, B; :

𝟏
𝑩𝟏 = 𝟐 𝒑(𝒂𝟏 ) ⇒ area of octagon

𝑝 = (8)(1) = 8𝑚
a; ⇒ apothem
𝒂𝟐
For octagon, 𝑎:
360
1.5 1.5 𝜃= = 45
8
 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

𝑠x
tan x𝟐 = 2
𝜽 For base areas:
𝜽x 𝑎 Perimeter and
𝟐 apothem needed.
𝒔x
𝒂= 𝟐 ⇒ for octagon For apothem: use
𝜽
𝐭𝐚𝐧 x𝟐
tangent function for
the triangle shown.
𝑠;x 1x The formula for
⇒ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎; 𝑎; = 2 = 2 apothem can now be
𝜃 45
tan x2 tan x2 applied to both bases
since both are
𝑎; = 1.21 𝑚 octagon, using their
𝟏 respective base edge.
𝑩𝟏 = (𝟖)(𝟏. 𝟐𝟏)= 𝟒. 𝟖𝟒 𝒎𝟐
𝟐

Area of the lower base, 𝑩𝟐 : Then, base areas are

1.0 𝟏 as follows.
𝑩𝟐 = 𝟐 𝑷(𝒂𝟐 ) ⇒ area of octagon
𝒂𝟏 𝑃 = 12𝑚
𝑠<x 1.5x
𝑎< = 2 = 2
⇒ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎< 𝜃 45
tan x2 tan x2

𝑎< = 1.81 𝑚
𝒉𝒇 𝟏
𝒍 = 𝟕𝒎 𝑩𝟐 = (𝟏𝟐)(𝟏. 𝟖𝟏) = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟖𝟔 𝒎𝟐
𝟐

Right trapezoid has

Height of frustum, 𝒉𝒇 =? been formed by the hf
𝒂𝟏 with the apothems of
the bases, leading to
𝒂𝟐 a right triangle
shown.

𝒉𝒇 𝟕𝒎 hf is solved by
1.5 1.5
Pythagorean theorem.
𝒍 = 𝟕𝒎 With computed values
𝒉𝒇
of hf, B1, and B2, then
𝒂𝟐 - 𝒂𝟏 volume follows.
= 𝟏. 𝟖𝟏- 𝟏. 𝟐𝟏
= 𝟎. 𝟔𝒎
By Pythagorean Theorem:
𝒂𝟐
ℎg = W7< − 0.6<
𝒉𝒇 = 𝟔. 𝟗𝟕 𝒎
𝒉𝒇
𝑽= V𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 + W𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐 X
𝟑
𝟔. 𝟗𝟕
𝑽= 𝟒. 𝟖𝟒 + 𝟏𝟎. 𝟖𝟔 + W(𝟒. 𝟖𝟒)(𝟏𝟎. 𝟖𝟔)¡
𝟑
𝑽 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟑𝟐 𝒎𝟑
 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

Problem 4. The base edges of a frustum of a regular square pyramid are 10 and 6cm. If the lateral
edge of the frustum is 20cm., find the surface area and the volume of the frustum.

Solution: 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅: 𝑻𝑨 = Surface Area

𝑽 = Volume of the Frustum

𝟔 𝒄𝒎 Given: s; = 6 cm, upper base edge

𝒄𝒎
𝟔
𝑠< = 10 𝑐 𝑚, lower base edge
𝑒 = 20 𝑐𝑚, length of lateral edge
𝒆=
𝟐𝟎

To compute the total

𝒄𝒎

𝒍 area of the frustum of a

For Surface Area or Total Area, 𝑻𝑨:
pyramid, combine the
𝟏
𝑻𝑨 = (𝒑 + 𝑷)𝒍 + 𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 lateral area with the
𝟐 base areas.
𝑝 = 𝑛𝑠; = 4(6) = 24 𝑐𝑚
𝒄𝒎 For B1 and B2, use area
𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎 𝑃 = 𝑛 𝑠< = 4(10) = 40 𝑐𝑚 for square
𝐜𝒎

𝐵; = 𝑠; < = 6< = 36 𝑐𝑚<

𝟔 𝒄𝒎 𝐵< = 𝑠< < = 10< = 100 𝑐𝑚<

𝑙 =? slant height
𝒆 = 𝟐𝟎

𝒆 = 𝟐𝟎

𝑙 =?, by Pythagorean Theorem

𝒍 For slant height:
W20< Since lateral edge is
𝑙= − 2<
𝒄𝒎

𝒄𝒎

given and slant height

𝒍 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟗𝟎 𝒄𝒎 is to be solved, consider
one lateral face and
solve the slant height by
𝟏𝟎 𝐜𝒎 𝟏 Pythagorean theorem.
𝟏𝟎 − 𝟔 𝟐 (𝟐𝟒 + 𝟒𝟎)𝟏𝟗. 𝟗𝟎 + 𝟑𝟔 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑻𝑨 = Then solve for TA.
=𝟐 𝟐
𝟐
𝑻𝑨 = 𝟕𝟕𝟐. 𝟖𝟎 𝒄𝒎𝟐

For volume, V:
For Volume of the Frustum, 𝑽: With volume formula, it
𝟔 𝒄𝒎
follows that the only
𝒄𝒎 𝒉𝒇
𝟔 𝑽= V𝑩𝟏 + 𝑩𝟐 + W𝑩𝟏 𝑩𝟐 X unknown left is hf.
𝟑 𝟑 Then:
𝒆=

ℎg =?, height of frustum 1. Consider the

trapezoid formed
𝟐𝟎

𝟑 by hf with the slant

𝒄𝒎

𝒉𝒇 𝒍 height.
By Pythagorean Theorem
2. Assign all the
values.
𝒍 = 𝟏𝟗

ℎg = W19.90< − 2<
𝒍=

3. Form a right
𝒉𝒇 𝒉𝒇
triangle as shown
𝟏𝟗.

𝟓 𝒄𝒎 ℎg = 19.80 𝑐𝑚
.𝟗

and apply
𝒄𝒎
𝟗𝟎

𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎 Pythagorean
𝐜𝒎 theorem to solve hf.
𝟓 𝟐 4. Then, volume can
be solved.


 Far Eastern University
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

𝟏𝟗. 𝟖𝟎
𝑽= V𝟑𝟔 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎 + W(𝟑𝟔)(𝟏𝟎𝟎)X
𝟑
𝑽 = 𝟏, 𝟐𝟗𝟑. 𝟔𝟎 𝒄𝒎𝟑

EXERCISES:

1) The base edges of a frustum of a regular pentagonal pyramid are 40cm and 80cm, and its altitude is
100cm. Find the volume and total area of the frustum.
Ans. 642,366.67 cme ; 44,881 cm<

2) Find the volume of a frustum of a regular square pyramid if the base edges are 14cm and 38cm,
and the measure of one of its lateral edges is 24cm.
Ans. 12,287 cme

3) Find the lateral area of a frustum of a regular square pyramid if the base edges are 13cm and 29cm,
and one lateral edge is inclined at an angle of 45 º with the lower base.
Ans. 1,164 cm<

4) A frustum of a regular hexagonal pyramid has an upper base edge of 16 ft and a lower base edge
of 28 ft. If the lateral area of the frustum is 1,716 ft < , find the altitude of the frustum.

Ans. √61 ft
5) The lateral area of a frustum of a regular triangular pyramid is 1,081 cm< , and the altitude and
lateral edges are 24cm and 26cm respectively. Find the lengths of the sides of the bases.
Ans. 6.03cm, 23.35 cm

ASSESSMENT:
Please refer to assessment file.