4.3 Geometry, Mensuration & Commercial Math (Speed, Distance, Profit/Loss)

Key Takeaways

  • In any right-angled triangle, the Pythagorean Theorem states a^2 + b^2 = c^2; common integer triples include (3,4,5), (5,12,13), and (8,15,17).
  • Circle Circumference C = 2*pi*r and Area A = pi*r^2; for a right cylinder, Volume V = pi*r^2*h and Total Surface Area TSA = 2*pi*r*(r + h).
  • To convert speed from km/h to m/s, multiply by 5/18; to convert from m/s to km/h, multiply by 18/5.
  • Profit % = ((SP - CP) / CP) * 100% and Loss % = ((CP - SP) / CP) * 100%, both calculated relative to Cost Price (CP).
  • Simple Interest I = (P * R * T) / 100, where P is principal, R is annual rate of interest, and T is time in years.
Last updated: July 2026

Geometry & Mensuration Formulas

Geometry and mensuration test a candidate's comprehension of 2D shapes, 3D solids, area, perimeter, volume, and geometric theorems.

Key 2D Geometric Formulas

ShapeArea FormulaPerimeter / CircumferenceNotes
Rectangle$A = l \times w$$P = 2(l + w)$Diagonals are equal: $d = \sqrt{l^2 + w^2}$
Triangle$A = \frac{1}{2} b h$$P = a + b + c$Hero's Formula: $A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}$
Equilateral Triangle$A = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} a^2$$P = 3a$Height $h = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} a$
Circle$A = \pi r^2$$C = 2\pi r$Diameter $d = 2r$; $\pi \approx \frac{22}{7} \approx 3.14159$
Trapezoid$A = \frac{1}{2}(a + b) h$$P = a + b + c + d$$a, b$ are parallel sides, $h$ is vertical height

Pythagorean Theorem & Triples

For a right-angled triangle with legs $a, b$ and hypotenuse $c$:

a2+b2=c2    c=a2+b2a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \implies c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}

Standard Pythagorean Triples for Quick Calculation

  • $3 - 4 - 5$ (and multiples: $6-8-10$, $9-12-15$)
  • $5 - 12 - 13$ (and multiples: $10-24-26$)
  • $8 - 15 - 17$
  • $7 - 24 - 25$

3D Mensuration Formulas

SolidVolume ($V$)Curved Surface Area ($CSA$)Total Surface Area ($TSA$)
Cube$V = a^3$$4a^2$$6a^2$
Cuboid$V = l \cdot w \cdot h$$2h(l + w)$$2(lw + wh + hl)$
Right Cylinder$V = \pi r^2 h$$2\pi r h$$2\pi r(r + h)$
Cone$V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h$$\pi r l \quad (l = \sqrt{r^2+h^2})$$\pi r(r + l)$
Sphere$V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$$4\pi r^2$$4\pi r^2$

Worked Example: Cylinder Mensuration

Problem: A cylindrical fuel storage tank at an airbase has a radius of $7\text{ m}$ and a height of $10\text{ m}$. Calculate its total capacity (volume) and total surface area. (Use $\pi = \frac{22}{7}$).

Solution:

  1. Volume Calculation: V=πr2h=227×72×10=227×49×10=22×7×10=1,540 m3V = \pi r^2 h = \frac{22}{7} \times 7^2 \times 10 = \frac{22}{7} \times 49 \times 10 = 22 \times 7 \times 10 = 1,540\text{ m}^3
  2. Total Surface Area Calculation: TSA=2πr(r+h)=2×227×7×(7+10)=44×17=748 m2TSA = 2\pi r (r + h) = 2 \times \frac{22}{7} \times 7 \times (7 + 10) = 44 \times 17 = 748\text{ m}^2

Speed, Distance, Time & Commercial Mathematics

Speed, Distance, and Time

The fundamental equation governing uniform motion is:

Distance (d)=Speed (v)×Time (t)\text{Distance } (d) = \text{Speed } (v) \times \text{Time } (t)

Speed (v)=dt,Time (t)=dv\text{Speed } (v) = \frac{d}{t}, \qquad \text{Time } (t) = \frac{d}{v}

Unit Conversion Rules

  • $\text{km/h}$ to $\text{m/s}$: Multiply by $\frac{5}{18}$ (e.g., $90 \text{ km/h} \times \frac{5}{18} = 25 \text{ m/s}$).
  • $\text{m/s}$ to $\text{km/h}$: Multiply by $\frac{18}{5}$ (e.g., $20 \text{ m/s} \times \frac{18}{5} = 72 \text{ km/h}$).

Relative Speed & Average Speed

  • Objects Moving in Same Direction: Relative Speed $v_{rel} = |v_1 - v_2|$.
  • Objects Moving in Opposite Directions: Relative Speed $v_{rel} = v_1 + v_2$.
  • Average Speed: Average Speed=Total Distance CoveredTotal Time Taken\text{Average Speed} = \frac{\text{Total Distance Covered}}{\text{Total Time Taken}} Special Case: If equal distances are covered at speeds $v_1$ and $v_2$, the harmonic mean formula applies: Average Speed=2v1v2v1+v2\text{Average Speed} = \frac{2 v_1 v_2}{v_1 + v_2}

Worked Example: Relative Speed (Aircraft Interception)

Problem: A PAF jet flies at $720 \text{ km/h}$ from Base A toward Base B ($600 \text{ km}$ apart). Simultaneously, a transport plane flies at $180 \text{ km/h}$ from Base B toward Base A. How long will it take for them to pass each other?

Solution:

  • Opposite directions $\implies$ Relative Speed $v_{rel} = 720 + 180 = 900 \text{ km/h}$.
  • Distance $d = 600 \text{ km}$.
  • Time $t = \frac{d}{v_{rel}} = \frac{600}{900} = \frac{2}{3} \text{ hours} = 40 \text{ minutes}$.

Commercial Mathematics: Profit, Loss & Interest

Profit and Loss Definitions

  • Cost Price (CP): The purchasing price of an article.
  • Selling Price (SP): The price at which an article is sold.
  • Profit (SP > CP): $\text{Profit} = \text{SP} - \text{CP} \implies \text{Profit %} = \frac{\text{Profit}}{\text{CP}} \times 100%$.
  • Loss (CP > SP): $\text{Loss} = \text{CP} - \text{SP} \implies \text{Loss %} = \frac{\text{Loss}}{\text{CP}} \times 100%$.

Simple Interest ($I$) and Compound Interest ($A$)

  • Simple Interest: I=PRT100I = \frac{P \cdot R \cdot T}{100} Total Amount (A)=P+I=P(1+RT100)\text{Total Amount } (A) = P + I = P \left(1 + \frac{R \cdot T}{100}\right)
  • Compound Interest (Compounded Annually): A=P(1+R100)T,Compound Interest=APA = P \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^T, \qquad \text{Compound Interest} = A - P

Worked Example: Simple Interest

Problem: An officer invests PKR 50,000 at a simple interest rate of $8%$ per annum for $3$ years. Find the total interest earned and total final amount.

Solution:

  • $P = 50,000$, $R = 8$, $T = 3$.
  • $I = \frac{50,000 \times 8 \times 3}{100} = 500 \times 24 = \text{PKR } 12,000$.
  • Total Amount $A = 50,000 + 12,000 = \text{PKR } 62,000$.
Test Your Knowledge

An aircraft travels at a speed of 108 km/h. What is its speed in meters per second (m/s)?

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Test Your Knowledge

By selling an item for PKR 1,800, a shopkeeper incurs a loss of 10%. At what price should he sell it to gain a profit of 15%?

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Test Your Knowledge

What is the volume of a sphere having a radius of 3 cm? (Take pi = 3.14)

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