Surface Areas and Volumes — CBSE Class 10 Maths Textbook Solutions
Step-by-step NCERT textbook solutions for every question in Surface Areas and Volumes — all 2 exercises, 17 questions, solved in full.
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NCERT Class 10 Maths Chapter 12 (Surface Areas and Volumes) has two exercises — 12.1 (9 questions on surface area) and 12.2 (8 questions on volume) — built entirely around combinations of cuboids, cylinders, cones, spheres, and hemispheres. Full worked solutions to all 17 questions, with every final answer verified against the NCERT answer key, are given below.
About Surface Areas and Volumes
Chapter 12 — Surface Areas and Volumes — asks you to treat every real object (a medicine capsule, a tent, a toy, a bird-bath, a wooden article) as a combination of two or more basic solids: cuboid, cylinder, cone, sphere, and hemisphere. This page solves every question in Exercise 12.1 (surface area of combined solids) and Exercise 12.2 (volume of combined solids), showing exactly which faces to add for surface area, and why volumes always simply add.
Where this fits in the exam
Surface Areas and Volumes is part of the Mensuration unit. Across the whole Mensuration unit, CBSE Class 10 Maths board papers carry 10 marks in total — see the full Class 10 Maths marks weightage to see how every unit is scored.
Key concepts & formulas
Cylinder: CSA =2π rh, TSA =2π r(h+r), Volume =π r^2h. Cone: CSA =π r l where l=√r^2+h^2, Volume =1/3π r^2h. Sphere: Surface area =4π r^2, Volume =4/3π r^3. Hemisphere: CSA =2π r^2, TSA =3π r^2, Volume =2/3π r^3.
Add only the surfaces that are actually exposed on the outside. When two solids are joined face to face, that shared flat face disappears from both pieces — for example, never add the flat circular base of a hemisphere sitting on top of a cylinder; only its curved surface is visible.
Unlike surface area, volume always adds (or subtracts, for a hollowed-out cavity): the volume of a combined solid is simply the sum of the volumes of its parts, since volume measures the material actually present, not the visible boundary.
Whenever a cone is part of the solid, find its slant height first using l=√r^2+h^2 — nearly every surface-area question in this chapter needs it before you can compute π r l.
Both exercises say to use π = 22/7 unless stated otherwise — but several individual questions override this and specify π = 3.14. Always check the question before substituting.
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Exercise-wise solutions
Every exercise in Surface Areas and Volumes, in textbook order. Attempt each question first, then check your method against the solution.
| Exercise | Questions |
|---|---|
| Exercise 12.1 | 9 |
| Exercise 12.2 | 8 |
Exercise 12.1
2 cubes each of volume 64 cm^3 are joined end to end. Find the surface area of the resulting cuboid.
Solution
Volume of each cube = 64 cm^3, so its edge a = [3]64 = 4 cm.
When the two cubes are joined end to end (face to face), the resulting solid is a cuboid of length l = 4+4 = 8 cm, breadth b = 4 cm, height h = 4 cm. The two joined faces (each 4 cm× 4 cm) are hidden inside the solid and do not contribute to the outer surface.
TSA of cuboid = 2(lb+bh+hl) = 2(8× 4 + 4× 4 + 4× 8)
= 2(32+16+32) = 2× 80 = 160 cm^2
The surface area of the resulting cuboid is 160 cm^2.
A vessel is in the form of a hollow hemisphere mounted by a hollow cylinder. The diameter of the hemisphere is 14 cm and the total height of the vessel is 13 cm. Find the inner surface area of the vessel.
Solution
Diameter of hemisphere = 14 cm, so radius r = 7 cm.
Since the total height of the vessel is 13 cm and the hemisphere itself has "height" equal to its radius (7 cm), the cylindrical part has height:
h = 13 - 7 = 6 cm
The inner surface (as seen from inside the vessel) consists of the curved surface of the cylinder plus the curved surface of the hemisphere (the vessel is open at the top, hollow, so no flat circular area is counted):
Inner surface area = CSA of cylinder + CSA of hemisphere = 2π r h + 2π r^2 = 2π r (h+r)
= 2 × 22/7 × 7 × (6+7) = 2 × 22 × 13 = 572 cm^2
The inner surface area of the vessel is 572 cm^2.
A toy is in the form of a cone of radius 3.5 cm mounted on a hemisphere of same radius. The total height of the toy is 15.5 cm. Find the total surface area of the toy.
Solution
Radius r = 3.5 cm. The total height of the toy is 15.5 cm, and the hemisphere contributes height equal to its radius, so the height of the cone:
h = 15.5 - 3.5 = 12 cm
Slant height of the cone:
l = √r^2+h^2 = √3.5^2 + 12^2 = √12.25 + 144 = √156.25 = 12.5 cm
Total surface area of the toy = CSA of cone + CSA of hemisphere (the flat circular face where they join is hidden inside):
TSA = π r l + 2π r^2 = π r (l + 2r) = 22/7 × 3.5 × (12.5 + 7)
= 22/7 × 3.5 × 19.5 = 11 × 19.5 = 214.5 cm^2
The total surface area of the toy is 214.5 cm^2.
A cubical block of side 7 cm is surmounted by a hemisphere. What is the greatest diameter the hemisphere can have? Find the surface area of the solid.
Solution
The hemisphere sits on top of the cube's flat face, so its diameter cannot exceed the side of the cube. The greatest diameter it can have equals the side of the cube:
Greatest diameter = 7 cm r = 3.5 cm
Surface area of the solid: The exposed surface is the total surface of the cube, minus the circular area where the hemisphere sits (which is covered, not exposed), plus the curved surface of the hemisphere.
Surface area = TSA of cube - π r^2 + 2π r^2 = 6a^2 + π r^2
= 6 × 7^2 + 22/7 × (3.5)^2 = 6 × 49 + 22/7 × 12.25
= 294 + 38.5 = 332.5 cm^2
The greatest diameter is 7 cm and the surface area of the solid is 332.5 cm^2.
A hemispherical depression is cut out from one face of a cubical wooden block such that the diameter l of the hemisphere is equal to the edge of the cube. Determine the surface area of the remaining solid.
Solution
Let the edge of the cube be l, so the radius of the hemispherical depression is l/2.
The remaining solid's surface = total surface of the cube - the flat circular area removed (where the depression is cut) + the curved surface of the hemispherical depression (now exposed as a concave surface):
Surface area = 6l^2 - π(l/2)^2 + 2π(l/2)^2 = 6l^2 + π(l/2)^2
= 6l^2 + π l^2/4 = 24l^2 + π l^2/4 = l^2(24+π)/4
The surface area of the remaining solid is 1/4l^2(π + 24) square units.
A medicine capsule is in the shape of a cylinder with two hemispheres stuck to each of its ends (see Fig. 12.10). The length of the entire capsule is 14 mm and the diameter of the capsule is 5 mm. Find its surface area.
Solution
Diameter = 5 mm, so radius r = 2.5 mm.
The total length is 14 mm, and the two hemispherical ends together contribute a length of 2r (one radius at each end), so the length of the cylindrical part:
h = 14 - 2(2.5) = 14 - 5 = 9 mm
Surface area = CSA of cylinder + CSA of the two hemispheres (their flat faces are joined to the cylinder and hidden):
Surface area = 2π r h + 2(2π r^2) = 2π r h + 4π r^2 = 2π r (h + 2r)
= 2 × 22/7 × 2.5 × (9 + 5) = 2 × 22/7 × 2.5 × 14
= 110/7 × 14 = 220 mm^2
The surface area of the capsule is 220 mm^2.
A tent is in the shape of a cylinder surmounted by a conical top. If the height and diameter of the cylindrical part are 2.1 m and 4 m respectively, and the slant height of the top is 2.8 m, find the area of the canvas used for making the tent. Also, find the cost of the canvas of the tent at the rate of Rs 500 per m^2. (Note that the base of the tent will not be covered with canvas.)
Solution
Diameter of cylinder = 4 m, so radius r = 2 m. Height of cylindrical part h = 2.1 m. Slant height of conical part l = 2.8 m.
The canvas covers the curved surface of the cylinder and the curved surface of the cone (no base, and the top of the cylinder is covered by the cone, so it isn't counted separately):
Canvas area = CSA of cylinder + CSA of cone = 2π r h + π r l
CSA of cylinder = 2 × 22/7 × 2 × 2.1 = 2 × 22 × 2 × 2.1/7 = 184.8/7 = 26.4 m^2
CSA of cone = 22/7 × 2 × 2.8 = 123.2/7 = 17.6 m^2
Total canvas area = 26.4 + 17.6 = 44 m^2
Cost of the canvas at Rs 500 per m^2:
Cost = 44 × 500 = Rs 22000
The area of canvas needed is 44 m^2 and it costs Rs 22000.
From a solid cylinder whose height is 2.4 cm and diameter 1.4 cm, a conical cavity of the same height and same diameter is hollowed out. Find the total surface area of the remaining solid to the nearest cm^2.
Solution
Diameter = 1.4 cm, so radius r = 0.7 cm; height h = 2.4 cm (the cavity has the same height and diameter as the cylinder, so its apex just touches the opposite flat face).
Slant height of the conical cavity:
l = √r^2+h^2 = √0.7^2+2.4^2 = √0.49+5.76 = √6.25 = 2.5 cm
The remaining solid's total surface consists of: the curved surface of the cylinder (outside), the flat circular base at the bottom (untouched, since the cone's apex meets it only at a single point), and the curved (inner) surface of the conical cavity carved out from the top:
TSA = 2π r h + π r^2 + π r l
2π r h = 2 × 22/7 × 0.7 × 2.4 = 73.92/7 = 10.56 cm^2
π r^2 = 22/7 × 0.49 = 1.54 cm^2
π r l = 22/7 × 0.7 × 2.5 = 38.5/7 = 5.5 cm^2
TSA = 10.56 + 1.54 + 5.5 = 17.6 cm^2 18 cm^2
The total surface area of the remaining solid, to the nearest cm^2, is 18 cm^2.
A wooden article was made by scooping out a hemisphere from each end of a solid cylinder, as shown in Fig. 12.11. If the height of the cylinder is 10 cm, and its base is of radius 3.5 cm, find the total surface area of the article.
Solution
Radius r = 3.5 cm, height h = 10 cm.
The total surface consists of: the curved surface of the cylinder (unchanged, still exposed all around), plus the curved surfaces of the two hemispherical cavities scooped out at each end (each flat circular end of the cylinder is replaced by a concave hemispherical surface of the same radius):
TSA = CSA of cylinder + 2 × CSA of hemisphere = 2π r h + 2(2π r^2) = 2π r h + 4π r^2
= 2π r (h + 2r) = 2 × 22/7 × 3.5 × (10+7)
= 2 × 22/7 × 3.5 × 17 = 22 × 17 = 374 cm^2
The total surface area of the article is 374 cm^2.
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A solid is in the shape of a cone standing on a hemisphere with both their radii being equal to 1 cm and the height of the cone is equal to its radius. Find the volume of the solid in terms of π.
Solution
Radius r = 1 cm. The cone's height equals its radius, so h = 1 cm.
Volume of solid = Volume of cone + Volume of hemisphere = 1/3π r^2 h + 2/3π r^3
= 1/3π (1)^2(1) + 2/3π (1)^3 = π/3 + 2π/3 = 3π/3 = π
The volume of the solid is π cm^3.
Rachel, an engineering student, was asked to make a model shaped like a cylinder with two cones attached at its two ends by using a thin aluminium sheet. The diameter of the model is 3 cm and its length is 12 cm. If each cone has a height of 2 cm, find the volume of air contained in the model that Rachel made. (Assume the outer and inner dimensions of the model to be nearly the same.)
Solution
Diameter = 3 cm, so radius r = 1.5 cm. Each cone has height 2 cm, so the two cones together take up 4 cm of the total length, leaving the cylindrical part with height:
h_cyl = 12 - 2(2) = 8 cm
Volume of air = Volume of cylinder + 2 × Volume of one cone
= π r^2 h_cyl + 2 × 1/3π r^2 h_cone = π r^2[h_cyl + 2/3h_cone]
= 22/7 × (1.5)^2 × [8 + 2/3(2)] = 22/7 × 2.25 × [8 + 4/3]
= 22/7 × 2.25 × 28/3 = 22 × 2.25 × 28/21
= 1386/21 = 66 cm^3
The volume of air contained in the model is 66 cm^3.
A gulab jamun, contains sugar syrup up to about 30% of its volume. Find approximately how much syrup would be found in 45 gulab jamuns, each shaped like a cylinder with two hemispherical ends with length 5 cm and diameter 2.8 cm (see Fig. 12.15).
Solution
Diameter = 2.8 cm, so radius r = 1.4 cm. Total length = 5 cm, and the two hemispherical ends together take up 2r = 2.8 cm, so the cylindrical part has length:
h = 5 - 2(1.4) = 5 - 2.8 = 2.2 cm
Volume of one gulab jamun:
V = π r^2 h + 4/3π r^3 = π r^2(h + 4/3r)
= 22/7 × (1.4)^2 × (2.2 + 4/3× 1.4) = 22/7 × 1.96 × (2.2 + 1.86)
= 22/7 × 1.96 × 4.06 6.16 × 4.0667 25.05 cm^3
Volume of 45 gulab jamuns:
45 × 25.05 1127.28 cm^3
Syrup is about 30% of this volume:
0.30 × 1127.28 338.18 cm^3
The amount of syrup in 45 gulab jamuns is approximately 338 cm^3.
A pen stand made of wood is in the shape of a cuboid with four conical depressions to hold pens. The dimensions of the cuboid are 15 cm by 10 cm by 3.5 cm. The radius of each of the depressions is 0.5 cm and the depth is 1.4 cm. Find the volume of wood in the entire stand (see Fig. 12.16).
Solution
Volume of the cuboid:
V_cuboid = 15 × 10 × 3.5 = 525 cm^3
Volume of one conical depression (radius = 0.5 cm, depth = 1.4 cm):
V_cone = 1/3π r^2 h = 1/3 × 22/7 × (0.5)^2 × 1.4 = 1/3 × 22/7 × 0.25 × 1.4
= 1/3 × 7.7/7 = 1/3 × 1.1 = 0.36 cm^3
Volume of 4 depressions:
4 × 0.36 = 1.46 cm^3
Volume of wood in the stand:
V_wood = V_cuboid - 4V_cone = 525 - 1.466 = 523.53 cm^3
The volume of wood in the entire pen stand is 523.53 cm^3.
A vessel is in the form of an inverted cone. Its height is 8 cm and the radius of its top, which is open, is 5 cm. It is filled with water up to the brim. When lead shots, each of which is a sphere of radius 0.5 cm are dropped into the vessel, one-fourth of the water flows out. Find the number of lead shots dropped in the vessel.
Solution
Volume of water in the cone (filled to the brim):
V_cone = 1/3π r^2 h = 1/3π (5)^2(8) = 200π/3 cm^3
The water that flows out equals one-fourth of this volume, and this displaced water equals the total volume of the lead shots dropped in:
V_displaced = 1/4 × 200π/3 = 50π/3 cm^3
Volume of one lead shot (sphere of radius 0.5 cm):
V_shot = 4/3π (0.5)^3 = 4/3π × 0.125 = π/6 cm^3
Number of lead shots n:
n × π/6 = 50π/3
n = 50π/3 × 6/π = 300/3 = 100
The number of lead shots dropped into the vessel is 100.
A solid iron pole consists of a cylinder of height 220 cm and base diameter 24 cm, which is surmounted by another cylinder of height 60 cm and radius 8 cm. Find the mass of the pole, given that 1 cm^3 of iron has approximately 8g mass. (Use π = 3.14)
Solution
Larger cylinder: base diameter = 24 cm, so r_1 = 12 cm, h_1 = 220 cm.
Smaller cylinder: r_2 = 8 cm, h_2 = 60 cm.
Volume = π r_1^2 h_1 + π r_2^2 h_2
π r_1^2 h_1 = 3.14 × 144 × 220 = 3.14 × 31680 = 99475.2 cm^3
π r_2^2 h_2 = 3.14 × 64 × 60 = 3.14 × 3840 = 12057.6 cm^3
Total volume = 99475.2 + 12057.6 = 111532.8 cm^3
Mass (at 8 g per cm^3):
Mass = 111532.8 × 8 = 892262.4 g = 892.2624 kg
The mass of the pole is approximately 892.26 kg.
A solid consisting of a right circular cone of height 120 cm and radius 60 cm standing on a hemisphere of radius 60 cm is placed upright in a right circular cylinder full of water such that it touches the bottom. Find the volume of water left in the cylinder, if the radius of the cylinder is 60 cm and its height is 180 cm.
Solution
Volume of the cylinder (radius R = 60 cm, height H = 180 cm):
V_cyl = π R^2 H = 22/7 × 60^2 × 180 = 22/7 × 3600 × 180 = 22/7 × 648000 = 14256000/7 cm^3
Volume of the solid (cone + hemisphere, both of radius r = 60 cm, cone height =120 cm):
V_solid = 1/3π r^2 (120) + 2/3π r^3 = π r^2[120/3 + 2/3(60)] = π r^2 (40+40) = π r^2 (80)
= 22/7 × 3600 × 80 = 22/7 × 288000 = 6336000/7 cm^3
Volume of water left:
V_water = V_cyl - V_solid = 14256000 - 6336000/7 = 7920000/7 = 1131428.57 cm^3
Converting to m^3 (since 1 m^3 = 10^6 cm^3):
V_water 1.131 m^3
The volume of water left in the cylinder is approximately 1.131 m^3.
A spherical glass vessel has a cylindrical neck 8 cm long, 2 cm in diameter; the diameter of the spherical part is 8.5 cm. By measuring the amount of water it holds, a child finds its volume to be 345 cm^3. Check whether she is correct, taking the above as the inside measurements, and π = 3.14.
Solution
Cylindrical neck: diameter = 2 cm, so radius r_1 = 1 cm, length h = 8 cm.
V_neck = π r_1^2 h = 3.14 × 1^2 × 8 = 25.12 cm^3
Spherical part: diameter = 8.5 cm, so radius r_2 = 4.25 cm.
V_sphere = 4/3π r_2^3 = 4/3 × 3.14 × (4.25)^3
(4.25)^3 = 4.25 × 4.25 × 4.25 = 18.0625 × 4.25 = 76.765625
V_sphere = 4/3 × 3.14 × 76.765625 4.1867 × 76.765625 321.39 cm^3
Total volume:
V_total = V_neck + V_sphere = 25.12 + 321.39 346.51 cm^3
The actual volume is about 346.51 cm^3, not 345 cm^3 as the child measured.
The child's answer is not correct. The correct volume is approximately 346.51 cm^3.
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Yes. All 17 CBSE Class 10 Maths textbook solutions for Surface Areas and Volumes are free, with full step-by-step answers and no login required.Do these Surface Areas and Volumes solutions follow the official NCERT textbook?
Yes — question and exercise numbers match the official NCERT Class 10 Maths textbook (NCERT 2026–27) exactly, so you can look up any question from your book by its number.How many exercises does Surface Areas and Volumes have?
2 exercises — Exercise 12.1, 12.2 — covering 17 questions in total.How should I use the Surface Areas and Volumes textbook solutions?
Attempt each question from your textbook first, then open the solution to check your method — not just the final answer. Redo anything you got wrong from scratch.How accurate are these solutions?
Every solution is written from the official NCERT textbook and checked carefully, question by question, so the working matches what your book expects.
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