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      Problem solving with plans and elevations

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use my knowledge of plans and elevations to solve problems.

      Key learning points

      1. The plans and elevations may be drawn to scale.
      2. You can combine an isometric drawing with its plan and elevations to find missing information.
      3. Scaling could be indicated by a scale factor or a ratio.

      Keywords

      • Plan - The plan of a solid is the view of it from above.

      • Front elevation - The front elevation of a solid is the view of it from the front.

      • Side elevation - The side elevation of a solid is the view of it from the side.

      • Isometric paper - Isometric means distances between points stay the same. In this lesson you may use isometric paper which has equally spaced dots or points.

      Common misconception

      Curves cannot be drawn on isometric paper.

      It is perfectly possible to draw a curve on isometric paper.

      Teacher tip

      The first learning cycle addresses this and shows how a building with a curved roof can be drawn on isometric paper. If appropriate, consider starting the lesson by asking pupils to draw a cylinder on isometric paper and let them reason with each other on how to do this.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The type of paper shown in the diagram is called paper.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: isometric

      Q2.
      The diagram shows a solid constructed from cubes. Which figure shows the front elevation of the solid?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      Correct answer: b
      c
      d
      e

      Q3.
      The diagram shows a solid constructed from cubes. Which figure shows the side elevation of the solid?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      b
      Correct answer: c
      d
      e

      Q4.
      The diagram shows a solid constructed from cubes. Which figure shows the plan of the solid?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      b
      c
      d
      Correct answer: e

      Q5.
      The diagram shows a solid constructed from cubes. The ___________ has been drawn incorrectly.

      An image in a quiz
      front elevation
      plan
      Correct answer: side elevation

      Q6.
      Which solid matches the front elevation, side elevation and plan as the figures shown in the boxes?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      b
      c
      Correct answer: d
      e

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The plan of a solid is the view of it from __________.

      Correct answer: above
      a diagonal point of view
      the front
      the side

      Q2.
      Jacob is producing a scale drawing of a building using the scale 1 : 500. The building is 80 m tall. The height of Jacob's scale drawing should be cm.

      Correct Answer: 16, sixteen, 16 cm

      Q3.
      Jacob is correctly producing a scale drawing of a building using the scale 1 : 400. The height of Jacob's scale drawing is 8 cm. The actual height of the building is m.

      Correct Answer: 32, thirty-two, 32 m

      Q4.
      The diagram shows the plan and elevations for a cuboid. The value of $$x$$ is .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 6, six, 6 cm

      Q5.
      The diagram shows the plan and elevations for a cuboid. The value of $$y$$ is .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 3, three, 3 cm

      Q6.
      The diagram shows an isometric drawing of a cuboid, along with its plan and elevations. Which unknowns are equal to 5?

      An image in a quiz
      $$a$$
      Correct answer: $$b$$
      $$c$$
      Correct answer: $$d$$
      $$e$$

      To help you plan your 10 maths lesson on: Problem solving with plans and elevations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...