M Project

Student Manual

Mark Allocation
Question 1: 2 Marks
Question 2: 2 Marks
Evaluation: 1 Mark
New idea on finding the surface area of odd-shaped solids:
1 Bonus Mark
Project brief
In this STEAM project, we are going to estimate the surface area of prism, frustum, and odd shape solid.

Learning goals
1. Consolidate the concepts of the surface area of prisms.
2. Apply mathematical knowledge to estimate the surface area of an odd shape solid.

STEM Elements involved

Mathematics Science
Measurement

Surface area of
Prisms and Estimation Measurement
Frustrum 導電體的 閉合
特性 電路

Graphic Model design

editing and making

Technology Engineerin
g

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Suggested material and tools

⚫ Card paper / plastic sheet ⚫ Pen/marker

⚫ Grid paper ⚫ Cutter / scissors

⚫ Ruler/measuring tape ⚫ Computer

⚫ String

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 Task 1 Fun reading

The formula of Total Surface Area of Prism with Uniform Cross Section
Area

The total surface area of a prism = base area + lateral surface area

Where lateral surface area = perimeter of base area  height

How can I measure irregular I can give you some hints.

base area and its perimeter? You can draw the grid line
and by using string to help
you.

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What is Frustum

The shape of this plastic cup

is call “FRUSTUM”, do you know what is this?

A frustum is a unique 3D object that is derived by cutting the apex of a cone or a pyramid.
The portion that is left with us after cutting the apex of a cone or a pyramid is known as a
frustum. The top and bottom bases of a frustum are parallel to each other.

A frustum is determined by its height, its radius of base 1 (top), the radius of base 2
(bottom). Below is an image of a frustum for your reference.

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Types of Frustum

A frustum is a 3D shape enclosed between the two parallel planes of another solid that is cut
into two parts. There are generally two types of frustum:
• A cone frustum: Created by cutting the cone from the vertex or apex. A plane parallel to the
base of the cone cuts the top of the cone or the apex to create a frustum. It is also called a
frustum of a cone or truncated cone.
• A pyramid frustum: Formed by cutting the apex of the pyramid with a plane parallel to the
base. Here, the pyramid's base can either be a triangle or a square. Hence, frustum can be
created from triangular pyramids and square pyramids.

The curved surface area of Frustum of a Cone

The curved Surface area of Frustum of Cone = πL (R + r)

where π is a constant,
R is the radius of the larger base,
r is the radius of the smaller base,
and L is the slant height.

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Task 2 Find the total surface area of an odd Shape Solid

In this task, we will estimate the surface area of an odd shape solid. We can cut out small “squares”
with known dimensions from grid paper, stick to the solid and count the squares used. Then we may
estimate the surface area of the solid.

Not all the solids have formula to find its surface area , how
to find the irregular or odd shape solid?

You can make “paper tiles” and stick it on the solid. Let’s get
some idea from “Turkish Lamp”

Turkish lamps are made entirely by hand in Turkey. They are characterized by the metals
worked in a very detailed way and by the wide range of colours used in small crystals forming
mosaics. This technique has evolved to the present day.

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The procedures.

1. First, create a Grid Paper by using excel.

2. Numbering the “Squares”, so that you can easier know how many “squares” you have used.

3. Cut out the “squares”, so that they become “Paper Tiles”. Stick it to the solid one by one, and
estimate the surface area.

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Example to estimate the curved surface area of an odd shape figure

What is the curved area of the Turkish Lamp?

Area of square tile = 1 × 1 cm2 = 1 cm2

No. of tiles used  60

Estimated curved surface of this Turkish lamp  (1 × 60) cm2

 60 cm2

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Create Grid Paper in Excel
(Use Microsoft Excel for Mac for demonstration)

First of all, let’s change the defeat measurement units from “inches” to “cm”.
To change the measurement unit displayed,
1. Choose Pages > Preferences (from the Pages menu at the top of your screen), then click General at
the top of the preferences window.

2. Click the Ruler Units pop-up menu, then choose an increment (Points, Centimeters, or Inches).

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The method I: Create A Grid Paper Template With Shape Of Square In Excel
This method will guide you to create a shape of a square, and then adjust the column width and row height
to the square’s size in Excel, therefore the whole worksheet shows as a grid paper style.

1. Click the Insert > Shapes > Rectangle. See screenshot below:

2. Draw a rectangle in a worksheet, and then specify the rectangle’s height and width to the same size in
the Size group on the Shape Format tab. See screenshot below
Then the rectangle change to a square at once.

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3. Move the square to the top-left corner of the current worksheet, right-click it, and select the Size and
Properties from the right-clicking menu.

4. Configure the square’s properties as follows:

In the Format Shape dialog box, click the Properties in the left bar
and check the option of Don’t move or size with cells,
then close this dialog box.

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5. Select the whole worksheet with one of the following methods:
A. Select any cell, and press the Ctrl + A keys in a meanwhile;
B. Click the arrow at the top-left corner of the current worksheet.

6. Move the mouse over the right border of column A’s header, when the mouse changes to a cross, adjust
Column A’s width same to the square. And then adjust Row 1’s height same to the square in the same
way. See screenshot below:

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7. It is highly recommended to use the auto fill-in function to add numbers to each “square”. Don’t forget
to add a grid line to the worksheets.

8. Save the worksheet.

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Method II: Create A Grid Paper by using Excel Ruler
This method utilizes the Excel ruler thus more comprehensible/easier & accurate row & column
dimensions.

1. Select View on the Ribbon

2. Within Workbook Views select Page Layout

3. If the ruler does not display, select the Ruler checkbox within the Show group.

4. Hit the Select All button (upper left corner below the name book)

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5. Right-click a Row, select the size adjustment option & then enter the desired measurement value. Right-
click & repeat for a Column.

That's it. The result is what appears as visually perfect squares.

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