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Similar areas and volumes
We already know that if two shapes are similar their corresponding sides are in the same ratio, and their corresponding angles are equal.
Look at the two cubes below:
The cubes are similar, and the ratio of their lengths is a:b or
- Question
What is the ratio of:
- the area of their faces?
- their volumes?
- Answer
- Cube 'a' has a face area of a2
Cube 'b' has a face area of b2
The ratio of their areas is a2 :b2 or
- Cube 'a' has a volume of
a3
Cube 'b' has a volume of b3
The ratio of their volumes is a3 :b3 or
- Cube 'a' has a face area of a2
For any pair of similar shapes, the following is true:
Ratio of lengths = a:b or
Ratio of areas = a2:b2 or
Ratio of volumes = a3:b3 or
- Question
These two shapes are similar. What is the length of x?
- Answer
The ratio of the areas is 25:36 (a2:b2)
The ratio of the lengths is a:b Therefore, we find the square roots of 25 and 36. Ratio of lengths = 5:6
5:6 = 2:x
So
(multiply both sides by 2)
= xx = 2.4cm
Now you try one.
- Question
Two similar pyramids have volumes of 64cm3 and 343cm3. What is the ratio of their surface areas?
- Answer
The answer is 16:49. Here is how to work it out. Try to fill in the blanks below:
Ratio of volumes = 64:?
To find the ratio of the lengths, we find the cube roots of 64 and ?
Therefore, the ratio of the lengths is ?:7
To find the ratio of the areas, we square ? and 7
The ratio of the areas is 16:49.
Now try a Test Bite
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