Frustums

Frustum of a pyramid (or cone) is a portion of pyramid (or cone) included

between the base and the section parallel to the base not passing through the
vertex.

Formula for Volume of a Frustum

The volume of a frustum is equal to one-third the product of the altitude and the
sum of the upper base, the lower base, and the mean proportional between the
bases. In symbols
ℎ
𝑉 = 𝐴 +𝐴 + 𝐴 𝐴
3

Frustum of a Regular Pyramid

Frustum of a regular pyramid is a portion of right regular pyramid included

between the base and a section parallel to the base.

Properties of a Frustum of Regular Pyramid

 The slant height of a frustum of a regular pyramid is the altitude of the
face.
 The lateral edges of a frustum of a regular pyramid are equal, and the
faces are equal isosceles trapezoids.
 The bases of a frustum of a regular pyramid are similar regular polygons.
If these polygons become equal, the frustum will become prism.

Elements of a Frustum of Regular Pyramid

a = upper base edge
b = lower base edge
e = lateral edge
h = altitude
L = slant height
A1 = area of lower base
A2 = area of upper base
n = number of lower base edges

Formulas for Frustum of a Regular Pyramid

Area of Bases, A1 and A2
Volume

ℎ
𝑉= 𝐴 +𝐴 + 𝐴 𝐴
3
Lateral Area, AL
The lateral area of frustum of regular pyramid is equal to one-half the sum of the
perimeters of the bases multiplied by the slant height.

1
𝐴 = 𝑛(𝑎 + 𝑏)𝐿
2
The relationship between slant height L, lower base edge b, upper base edge a,
and lateral edge e, of the frustum of regular pyramid is given by

(𝑏 − 𝑎) + 4𝐿 = 4𝑒
Examples:

1. The frustum of a rectangular pyramid has an upper base of 8 m x 80 m, a

lower base of 10 m x 100 m, and an altitude of 5 m. Find the volume of the
frustum.
ℎ
𝑉= 𝐴 +𝐴 + 𝐴 𝐴
3
5
𝑉= 8 ∗ 80 + 10 ∗ 100 + √8 ∗ 80 ∗ 10 ∗ 100
3
= 𝟒𝟎𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝟑

2. A block of granite is in the form of the frustum of a regular square pyramid

whose upper and lower base edges are 3ft and 7ft, respectively. If each of the
lateral faces is inclined at an angle of 62˚30’ to the base, find the volume of
granite in the block.

𝐴 = 𝑎 = 3 = 9𝑓𝑡

𝐴 = 𝑏 = 7 = 49𝑓𝑡

ℎ
𝑉= 𝐴 +𝐴 + 𝐴 𝐴
3

Since Altitude h is not given, compute it using the angle given.

ℎ
tan 62°30′ =
2
ℎ = 2 (tan 62°30′)

ℎ = 3.842 𝑓𝑡
 3.842
𝑉= 9 + 49 + 9(49)
3

𝑽 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟏𝟕𝟐𝟕 𝒇𝒕𝟑

3. A square pyramid 12m high is cut 8m from the vertex to form a frustum of a
pyramid with a volume of 190 cu. m. Find the side of the base of the frustum of a
pyramid.

Volume of the frustrum of pyramid = 190 cu.m

Height of the pyramid = 12m

Height of the frustrum of the pyramid = 4m

OC = 8m

By similar figures,

𝐴𝐵 𝑂𝐴
=
𝐶𝐷 𝑂𝐶
𝑎
2 = 12
𝑏 8
2
𝑎 3
=
𝑏 2
2𝑎
𝑏=
3
ℎ
𝑉= 𝐴 +𝐴 + 𝐴 𝐴
3
4
190 = 𝑎 +𝑏 + 𝑎 𝑏
3
4 2𝑎
190 = 𝑎 + ( ) + 𝑎𝑏
3 3

4 2𝑎 2𝑎
190 = 𝑎 +( ) +
3 3 3

4 4𝑎 2𝑎
190 = 𝑎 + +
3 9 3
 4 19𝑎
190 = ( )
3 9
76𝑎
190 =
27
5130 = 76𝑎

𝒂 = 𝟖. 𝟐𝟏𝟓𝟖𝒎

4. Find the volume and the total surface area of a frustrum of a pyramid; the end
being pentagon of sides 8.6m and 4.8m respectively and the thickness of the
frustum of a pyramid is 5m.

𝑛𝑎
𝐴 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛 =
180
4tan ( 𝑛 )

(5)(8.6)
𝐴 =
180
4tan ( )
5
𝐴 = 127.2465 𝑚

𝑛𝑎
𝐴 =
180
4tan ( 𝑛 )

(5)(4.8)
𝐴 =
180
4tan ( )
5
𝐴 = 39.6398 𝑚

ℎ
𝑉= 𝐴 +𝐴 + 𝐴 𝐴
3
5
𝑉= 127.2465 + 39.6398 + (127.2465)(39.6398)
3

𝑽 = 𝟑𝟗𝟔. 𝟓𝟏𝟐𝟕 𝒎𝟑

1
𝐴 = 𝑛(𝑎 + 𝑏)𝐿
2
1
𝐴 = 5(8.6 + 4.8)𝐿
2
Slant height L is missing, solve. (watch the video)

𝐿 = 5.6426 𝑚

1
𝐴 = 5(8.6 + 4.8)(5.6426)
2
𝐴 = 189.0271 𝑚

𝑇𝑆𝐴 = 𝐴 + 𝐴 + 𝐴

𝑇𝑆𝐴 = 189.0271 + 127.2465 + 39.6398

𝑻𝑺𝑨 = 𝟑𝟓𝟓. 𝟗𝟏𝟑𝟒𝒎𝟐