Mensuration
Mensuration is the branch of mathematics that studies the measurement of geometric figures and their parameters like length, volume, shape, surface area, lateral surface area, etc. Learn about mensuration in basic Mathematics.
Here, the concepts of mensuration are explained and all the important mensuration formulas provided. Also, the properties of different geometric shapes and the corresponding figures are given for a better understanding of these concepts.
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Mensuration Maths- Definition
A branch of mathematics that talks about the length, volume, or area of different geometric shapes is called Mensuration. These shapes exist in 2 dimensions or 3 dimensions. Let’s learn the difference between the two.
Differences Between 2D and 3D shapes
| 2D Shape | 3D Shape |
|---|---|
| If a shape is surrounded by three or more straight lines in a plane, then it is a 2D shape. | If a shape is surrounded by a no. of surfaces or planes then it is a 3D shape. |
| These shapes have no depth or height. | These are also called solid shapes and unlike 2D they have height or depth. |
| These shapes have only two dimensions say length and breadth. | These are called Three dimensional as they have depth (or height), breadth and length. |
| We can measure their area and Perimeter. | We can measure their volume, CSA, LSA or TSA. |
Mensuration in Maths- Important Terminologies
Let’s learn a few more definitions related to this topic.
| Terms | Abbreviation | Unit | Definition |
| Area | A | m2 or cm2 | The area is the surface which is covered by the closed shape. |
| Perimeter | P | cm or m | The measure of the continuous line along the boundary of the given figure is called a Perimeter. |
| Volume | V | cm3 or m3 | The space occupied by a 3D shape is called a Volume. |
| Curved Surface Area | CSA | m2 or cm2 | If there’s a curved surface, then the total area is called a Curved Surface area. Example: Sphere |
| Lateral Surface area | LSA | m2 or cm2 | The total area of all the lateral surfaces that surrounds the given figure is called the Lateral Surface area. |
| Total Surface Area | TSA | m2 or cm2 | The sum of all the curved and lateral surface areas is called the Total Surface area. |
| Square Unit | – | m2 or cm2 | The area covered by a square of side one unit is called a Square unit. |
| Cube Unit | – | m3 or cm3 | The volume occupied by a cube of one side one unit |
Mensuration Formulas
Now let’s learn all the important mensuration formulas involving 2D and 3D shapes. Using this mensuration formula list, it will be easy to solve the mensuration problems. Students can also download the mensuration formulas list PDF from the link given above. In general, the most common formulas in mensuration involve surface area and volumes of 2D and 3D figures.
Mensuration Formulas For 2D Shapes
| Shape | Area (Square units) | Perimeter (units) | Figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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+c) | a+b+c+d |  |
Mensuration Formulas for 3D Shapes
| Shape | Volume (Cubic units) | Curved Surface Area (CSA) or Lateral Surface Area (LSA) (Square units) | Total Surface Area (TSA) (Square units) | Figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cube | a3 | LSA = 4 a2 | 6 a2 |  |
| Cuboid | l × b × h | LSA = 2h(l + b) | 2 (lb +bh +hl) |  |
| Sphere | (4/3) π r3 | 4 π r2 | 4 π r2 |  |
| Hemisphere | (⅔) π r3 | 2 π r 2 | 3 π r 2 |  |
| Cylinder | π r 2 h | 2π r h | 2πrh + 2πr2 |  |
| Cone | (⅓) π r2 h | π r l | πr (r + l) |  |
Mensuration Problems
Question: Find the area and perimeter of a square whose side is 5 cm.
Solution:
Given:
Side = a = 5 cm
Area of a square = a2 square units
Substitute the value of “a” in the formula, we get
Area of a square = 52
A = 5 x 5 = 25
Therefore, the area of a square = 25 cm2
The perimeter of a square = 4a units
P = 4 x 5 =20
Therefore, the perimeter of a square = 20 cm.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is mensuration in Maths?
In maths, mensuration is defined as the study of the measurement of various 2D and 3D geometric shapes involving their surface areas, volumes, etc.
What is the difference between mensuration and geometry?
Mensuration refers to the calculation of various parameters of shapes like the perimeter, area, volume, etc. whereas, geometry deals with the study of properties and relations of points and lines of various shapes.
What are 2D and 3D Mensuration?
2D mensuration deals with the calculation of various parameters like area and perimeter of 2-dimensional shapes like square, rectangle, circle, triangles, etc.
3D mensuration is concerned with the study and calculation of surface area, lateral surface area, and volume of 3-dimensional figures like a cube, sphere, cuboid, cone, cylinder, etc.