Surface area of a pyramid

Investigating areas of surfaces in a pyramid is approached with this activity.

Objectives

Understand the solid figure - pyramid.

Explore properties of pyramids.

Estimated Time

30 minutes.

Prerequisites/Instructions, prior preparations, if any

1. Knowledge about dimensions, plane figures and solid figures.
2. The formulae to find the area of a square and triangles.
3. They should know the properties of a pyramid.

Materials/ Resources needed

Digital: Laptop, geogebra file, projector and a pointer.

Geogebra file: Surfaces of a pyramid

Download this geogebra file from this link.

Process (How to do the activity)

• Process :

1. The teacher can initially discuss about plane figures, solid figures and pyramids.
2. Reiterate the properties of pyramid.
3. Discuss about the types of pyramids based on its base.
4. project the geogebra file, point to parts of pyramid.
5. Moving slider, show them the open pyramid so that students can easily comprehend the surface area of it.
6. Reiterate that surface area of pyramid would be the sum of area of its base + 4 times the area of its sides in case of a regular pyramid.

• Developmental Questions

1. What is a pyramid ?
2. Name its parts.
3. What are its properties ?
4. What shape is its base ?
5. How many vertices does it have ?
6. What are the shapes of its sides.
7. How many edges, faces does it have ?
8. What is the formula to find the area of a square ?
9. What is the formula to find the area of a triangle ?
10. How do you get the perpendicular height of the triangle?
11. Do you know any other formula to find the area of the triangle ?
12. What would be the area of the pyramid ?

• Evaluation:

1. On what factors would the area of a pyramid depend ?

• Question Corner:

1. Can we have a generalised formula to find the surface area of all types of pyramids ? Discuss.