
List of 3D Formulas with Definitions Derivations and Solved Examples
A 3D shape is a solid shape or object with three dimensions (length, width, and height) instead of a 2D object with only length and width. Other essential terms related to 3D geometric shapes are faces, edges, and vertices, for example, spheres, cubes and many more.
In mathematics, the concept of three-dimensional objects is studied and applied to real life. These 3D objects are those figures which occupy space and have volume area due to their length, width, and height. To calculate their volume or area, we can use the formula of 3D shapes.
Real-life Examples of 3D Shapes
Here are some real-world examples of 3D shapes like soccer balls, cubes, books and other objects you can touch and feel.
Example of 3D shapes
Types of 3D Shapes
Many 3D shapes (3D shapes) have different bases, volumes, and surface areas. Let's discuss each of them.
1. Sphere
The sphere is rounded in shape. This is a three-dimensional geometry in which all points on the surface are equidistant from the centre. It has a radius, diameter, circumference, volume, and surface area.
3D Representation of Sphere
2. Cube and Cuboid
Cubes and cuboids are three-dimensional shapes (three-dimensional shapes) with the same number of faces, vertices, and edges.
The main difference between a cube and a cuboid is that a cube has all six faces square and a cuboid has all six faces as a rectangle. Cubes and cuboids have different volumes and different surface areas. The length, width, and height of a cube are the same, but the length, height, and width of a cube are different.
3D Representation Of Cube
3D Representation of Cuboid
3. Cylinder
A cylinder is a three-dimensional shape with two round faces (one at the top and one at the bottom) and one curved surface. A cylinder has a height and a radius. The height of a cylinder is the vertical distance between its top and bottom faces. It has one curved edge. The shape remains the same from bottom to top.
3D Representation of Cylinder
4. Cone
A cone is another three-dimensional shape (3D shape) with a flat bottom (round shape) and a pointed tip on the top. The sharp end of the top of the cone is called the "top". A cone also has a curved surface. A cone has a height and a radius. In addition to height, cones have an oblique height, which is the distance between a vertex and a point on the perimeter of the cone's circular base.
3D Representation of Cone
3D Geometry Formulas
In this, you will see the 3D figure formulas, which include the lateral surface area, total surface area, and volume of each 3D figure discussed above. Let’s discuss these terms first:
Lateral Surface Area: The size of the lateral surface is referred to as its area. This must be distinguished from the total surface area, consisting of the base and top areas and the lateral surface area. The four sides' surface area would be a cube's lateral surface area.
Total Surface Area: The area of all the surfaces or the total area of the whole figure. It is measured in square units.
Volume: Volume is defined as the space occupied by the 3D object. Volume is measured in cubic units.
1. Sphere
Curved surface area = Total surface area = \[4\pi {r^2}\]
Volume = \[\dfrac{4}{3}\pi {r^3}\]
Where r is the radius of the sphere.
2. Cube
Lateral surface area=\[4{a^2}\]
Total surface area= \[6{a^2}\]
Volume= \[{a^3}\]
Where a is the side of the cube.
3. Cuboid
Lateral surface area= \[2h(l + w)\]
Total surface area=\[2(lw + wh + lh)\]
Volume=\[l \times w \times h\]
Where l, w, and h are the cuboid's length, width and height, respectively.
4. Cylinder
Curved surface area = \[2π rh\]
Total surface area = \[2π r(h + r)\]
Volume = \[π {r^2}h\]
Where r is the radius and h is the height of the cylinder.
5. Cone
Curved surface area = \[π rl\]
Total surface area = \[π r(l + r)\]
Volume = \[\dfrac{1}{3}π {r^2}h\]
Where r is the radius, l is the slant height and l = \[\sqrt {({h^2} + {r^2})} \]
Conclusion
Mensuration is the study of measuring geometric forms and their properties such as length, volume, shape, surface area, lateral surface area, and so on. A 3D form is surrounded by several surfaces or planes. These are also solid forms; unlike 2D shapes, they include height and depth.
Solved Examples
1. Izak has a cylindrical shaped glass for drinking milk. The height of the glass is 15 units, and the radius of the base is 3 units. How much volume of milk does she need to fill her glass?
a. 421.5 cubic units
b. 451.8 cubic units
c. 423.9 cubic units
d. 400.6 cubic units
Ans: 423.9 cubic units
Explanation: In this case, the height of the glass is 15 units, and the radius of the base is 3 units. To find the volume of the glass, she must use the formula for the volume of a cylinder, which is \[\pi {r^2}h\]
\[\begin{array}{l}V = \pi {r^2}h\\V = 3.14 \times {(3)^2} \times 15\\V = 423.9\end{array}\]
So, she needs about 424 cubic units of milk to fill a glass.
2. Find the surface area of a cuboid 3 units long, 4 units wide, and 5 units high.
a. 97 square units
b. 87 square units
c. 94 square units
d. 189 square units
Ans: 94 square units
Explanation: Given the length of the cuboid= 3 units
The width of the box = 4 units
And the height of the box = 5 units.
Total surface area= \[2(lw + wh + lh)\]
\[\begin{array}{l}area = 2(3 \times 4 + 4 \times 5 + 5 \times 3)\\area = 2(12 + 20 + 15) = 2 \times 47\end{array}\]
Area = 94 square units
Therefore, the surface area of a cuboid is 94 square units.
FAQs on 3D Geometry Formulas for Volume Surface Area and Diagonal
1. What are 3D formulas in Maths?
3D formulas are mathematical formulas used to calculate the volume, surface area, and other properties of three-dimensional shapes. These formulas apply to solids such as cubes, cuboids, spheres, cylinders, and cones. In 3D geometry (solid geometry), measurements involve length, width, and height. For example, the volume formula for a cube is a³, where a is the side length.
2. What is the formula for the volume of a cube?
The formula for the volume of a cube is V = a³, where a is the length of one side. To calculate:
- Measure the side length (a).
- Multiply a × a × a.
3. What is the formula for the volume of a cuboid?
The volume of a cuboid is given by V = l × b × h, where l = length, b = breadth, and h = height. To calculate:
- Measure length, breadth, and height.
- Multiply all three dimensions.
4. What is the formula for the volume of a sphere?
The formula for the volume of a sphere is V = (4/3)πr³, where r is the radius. To calculate:
- Find the radius.
- Cube the radius.
- Multiply by 4/3 π.
5. What is the formula for the volume of a cylinder?
The volume of a cylinder is V = πr²h, where r is the radius and h is the height. Steps:
- Square the radius.
- Multiply by π.
- Multiply by height.
6. What is the formula for the volume of a cone?
The volume of a cone is V = (1/3)πr²h, where r is the base radius and h is the height. To calculate:
- Square the radius.
- Multiply by height.
- Multiply by π and divide by 3.
7. What is the difference between surface area and volume in 3D shapes?
Surface area measures the total area of all outer faces, while volume measures the space inside a 3D shape. Key differences:
- Surface area is measured in square units (cm², m²).
- Volume is measured in cubic units (cm³, m³).
- Surface area relates to covering; volume relates to capacity.
8. What is the total surface area formula for a sphere?
The total surface area of a sphere is 4πr², where r is the radius. To calculate:
- Square the radius.
- Multiply by 4π.
9. How do you calculate the diagonal of a cuboid?
The space diagonal of a cuboid is calculated using d = √(l² + b² + h²). Steps:
- Square length, breadth, and height.
- Add the three values.
- Take the square root.
10. What are the most important 3D geometry formulas to remember?
The most important 3D formulas include key volume and surface area formulas for common solids. Essential formulas:
- Cube volume: a³
- Cuboid volume: lbh
- Sphere volume: (4/3)πr³
- Cylinder volume: πr²h
- Cone volume: (1/3)πr²h
- Sphere surface area: 4πr²





















