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Similarity in 3D solids - Teacher Slides.pptx
The lesson slides with the teacher's notes on each slide, and every question and mark scheme built in. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.
EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Similarity in 3D solids
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Warm-up
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
Answer each one, then check.
1
Work out 2³.
2
Work out 1.5³.
3
What is the area scale factor if k = 3?
4
Work out ∛27.
5
What is the formula for the volume of a cone?
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Warm-up - Answers
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
1
Work out 2³.
8
2
Work out 1.5³.
3.375
3
What is the area scale factor if k = 3?
9
4
Work out ∛27.
3
5
What is the formula for the volume of a cone?
⅓πr² h
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Learning Objectives
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
1
Use length, area and volume scale factors.
2
Find a volume, capacity or mass of a similar solid.
3
Work out the length ratio from a volume ratio.
4
Solve problems with similar cones, cylinders and frustums.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Similar Cubes
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5

Doubling lengths multiplies areas by 4 and volumes by 8.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Scale Factors for Similar Solids
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
If the length scale factor is k.
Measure
Scale factor
If k = 2
Lengths
k
2
Areas (including surface area)
k²
4
Volumes (and capacity, mass)
k³
8
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Volume of a Similar Cone
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
Cone A has height 6 cm and volume 40 cm³. Cone B is similar to A and has height 9 cm. Find the volume of cone B.
1
Length scale factor
9/6 = 1.5
2
Volume scale factor
1.5³ = 3.375
3
Volume of B
40 × 3.375
ANSWER
135 cm³
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
A Model and the Real Thing
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
A model statue is 20 cm tall and has mass 2 kg. The real statue is 1.2 m tall and made of the same material. Find the mass of the real statue.
1
Length scale factor
120 ÷ 20 = 6
2
Volume (and mass) scale factor
6³ = 216
3
Mass
2 × 216
ANSWER
432 kg
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
A Frustum
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
A cone of height 15 cm has volume 500 cm³. A small cone of height 6 cm is cut off the top, leaving a frustum. Find the volume of the frustum.
1
The small cone is similar to the large cone
Length scale factor 6/15 = 0.4
2
Volume scale factor
0.4³ = 0.064
3
Volume of the small cone
500 × 0.064 = 32
4
Frustum = large cone minus small cone
500 − 32
ANSWER
468 cm³
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
From Volumes to Lengths
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
Two similar solids have volumes 8 cm³ and 125 cm³. Find the ratio of their lengths and of their surface areas.
1
Take the cube root of the volumes
∛8 : ∛125 = 2 : 5
2
Lengths
2 : 5
3
Surface areas: square the ratio
4 : 25
ANSWER
Lengths 2 : 5; surface areas 4 : 25.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Which Scale Factor?
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
USE K (LENGTHS)
• Heights, radii, edges, perimeters.
• Anything measured in a straight line.
• Read directly from the two shapes.
USE K² OR K³
• k²: area, surface area, cross-section.
• k³: volume, capacity, mass (same material).
• Cube or square root to go backwards.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Key Terms
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
Similar solids
Solids with the same shape and all lengths in the same ratio.
Volume scale factor
k³.
Surface area scale factor
k².
Frustum
A cone or pyramid with the top cut off parallel to the base.
Capacity
The volume a container holds.
Density
Mass per unit volume; the same in similar solids of the same material.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
YOUR TASK
Bottle Sizes
12 minutes
A small bottle is 10 cm tall and holds 250 ml. A similar large bottle is 15 cm tall. Find the capacity of the large bottle. A label on the small bottle has area 40 cm²; find the label area on the large bottle.
1
Find k.
2
Cube for volume.
3
Square for area.
WHAT A GOOD ANSWER SHOWS
Scale factor 1.5. Capacity 250 × 1.5³ = 843.75 ml, about 844 ml. Label 40 × 1.5² = 90 cm².
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Can I...?
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
State the scale factors k, k², k³.
Find a volume of a similar solid.
Find a mass using a volume factor.
Find the surface area of a similar solid.
Use a cube root to find a length ratio.
Find the volume of a frustum.
Choose the right scale factor.
Show clear working.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Summary & Exam Focus
Lengths k, areas k², volumes k³.
For the same material, mass scales like volume.
From a volume ratio take the cube root for lengths.
A frustum is a large cone minus a similar small cone.
EXAM FOCUS
Cone A has height 6 cm and volume 40 cm³. Cone B is similar to A and has height 9 cm. Work out the volume of cone B. (3 marks)
Find the length scale factor first. Cube it for volume. Do not square it.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Exam Practice: Similarity in 3D Solids
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
Answer all questions. Show your working. · 30 minutes
Question 1 · 3 marks · Work out
Cone A and cone B are mathematically similar. The height of cone A is 6 cm and its volume is 40 cm³. The height of cone B is 9 cm. Work out…
Question 2 · 3 marks · Work out
A model of a statue is 20 cm tall and has a mass of 2 kg. The real statue is 1.2 m tall and is made from the same material. Work out the…
Question 3 · 4 marks · Work out
A cone has a height of 15 cm and a volume of 500 cm³. A smaller cone of height 6 cm is cut off the top, leaving a frustum. The small cone…
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Exam Practice: Similarity in 3D Solids (cont.)
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
Question 4 · 3 marks · Work out
Two similar solids have surface areas in the ratio 4 : 9. Work out the ratio of their volumes.
Question 5 · 3 marks · Work out
A small bottle is 10 cm tall and holds 250 ml of juice. A similar large bottle is 15 cm tall. Work out the capacity of the large bottle…
Question 6 · 3 marks · Work out
Two similar solids have volumes of 8 cm³ and 125 cm³. The surface area of the smaller solid is 20 cm². Work out the surface area of the…
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 1 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5

Cone A and cone B are mathematically similar. The height of cone A is 6 cm and its volume is 40 cm³. The height of cone B is 9 cm. Work out the volume of cone B. (3 marks)
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 1 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Length scale factor 1.5
M1
1.5³ = 3.375
M1
135
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 2 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
“
A model of a statue is 20 cm tall and has a mass of 2 kg. The real statue is 1.2 m tall and is made from the same material. Work out the mass of the real statue.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 2 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Scale factor 6
M1
6³ = 216
M1
432
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 3 · 4 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
“
A cone has a height of 15 cm and a volume of 500 cm³. A smaller cone of height 6 cm is cut off the top, leaving a frustum. The small cone is similar to the large cone. Work out the volume of the frustum.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 4 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 3 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
4 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Scale factor 0.4
M1
0.4³ = 0.064
M1
Small cone 32
A1
468
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 4 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
“
Two similar solids have surface areas in the ratio 4 : 9. Work out the ratio of their volumes.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 4 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Length ratio 2 : 3
M1
Cubing
M1
8 : 27
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 5 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
“
A small bottle is 10 cm tall and holds 250 ml of juice. A similar large bottle is 15 cm tall. Work out the capacity of the large bottle. Give your answer to the nearest ml.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 5 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Scale factor 1.5
M1
250 × 1.5³
M1
844
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 6 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
“
Two similar solids have volumes of 8 cm³ and 125 cm³. The surface area of the smaller solid is 20 cm². Work out the surface area of the larger solid.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER
Question 6 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 5 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Length scale factor 5/2
M1
Area scale factor 6.25
M1
125
A1
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