Right Circular Cone

In this learning object, you will:

1. Define a right circular cone and its components.
2. Use the geometric formula for finding the volume of a
right circular cone.
3. Use the geometric formula for finding the surface area
of a right circular cone.
4. Use the geometric formula for finding the base of a
right circular cone.
5. Use the geometric formula for finding the slant height
of a right circular cone.
6. Use the geometric formula for finding the lateral area
of a right circular cone.
What is a Right Circular Cone?
A right circular cone is a cone whose
axis is a line segment joining the vertex
to the midpoint of the circular base.
 Right Circular Cone

Volume (v)
slant height (s)
h
e
I
g
h
t
radius (r)

base (b)
 Components of a right circular
cone.
Volume
Base
Slant height
Surface area
Lateral area
 How to find the volume?
The volume of a right circular cone is calculated
using the following formula:
V = πr2h/3
 Example:

Calculate the volume of a right circular cone with r = 3", h

= 4", and l = 5". Be sure to include the units in your
answer.
 Solution:

V = πr2h/3
V = (3.14)(3in)2(4in)/3
V = (3.14)(9in2)(4in) / 3
V = (3.14)(36in3)/ 3
V = 37.68 inches3
 How to find the surface area?
The surface area of a right circular cone is
calculated using the following formula:
SA = πr2 + πrl

 Example:

Calculate the volume of a right circular cone with r =

3", h = 4", and l = 5". Be sure to include the units in
your answer.
 Solution:

SA = πr2 + πrl
SA = 3.14(3in)2 +3.14(3in)(5in)
SA = 3.14(9in2)+3.14(15in2)
SA = 28.26in2+47.1in2
SA = 75.36 inches2
 How to find the base?
The base of a right circular cone is
calculated using the following formula:
B = πr2
 Example:
Calculate the base of a right circular cone
with r = 3". Be sure to include the units in your
answer.
 Solution:
B = πr2
B = 3.14(3)2
B = 28.26 inches2
 How to find the slant height?
The slant height of a right circular cone is calculated
using the following formula:
s = √r2+h2
 Example:

Calculate the base of a right circular cone with r =

3“, h = 4". Be sure to include the units in your answer.
 Solution:

s = √r2+h2
s = √(3in) 2+(4in) 2
s = √9in2+16in2
s = √25in2
s = 5 inches2
 How to find the lateral area?
The lateral area of a right circular cone is calculated
using the following formula:
LA = πrs
 Example:

Calculate the base of a right circular cone with r = 3“, s =

5". Be sure to include the units in your answer.
 Solution:

LA = πrs
LA = 3.14(3in)(5in2)
LA = 3.14(15)
LA = 47.1 inches3