DfE statement G17 · Geometry and measures

Circles, composite shapes, spheres, pyramids and cones

Both tiersCalculator

Circles, composite shapes, spheres, pyramids and cones is content statement G17 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the geometry area. It is on both tiers, and it is normally a calculator-paper question. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 4 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.

What the specification says

The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Know the formulae: circumference of a circle = 2πr = πd, area of a circle = πr²; calculate: perimeters of 2D shapes, including circles; areas of circles and composite shapes; surface area and volume of spheres, pyramids, cones and composite solids." (statement G17). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
— Department for Education, Mathematics: GCSE subject content and assessment objectives, statement G17

Tier

Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.

Calculator

This is calculator work, which places it on Papers 2 and 3. Know your own calculator before the exam, keep full accuracy through the working and round only at the end.

Common mistakes

Using the diameter in πr². The formula takes the radius, so an answer four times too large means the diameter went in.
Finding the surface area of a cylinder as the curved surface only, forgetting the two circular ends.
Substituting the perpendicular height into a cone formula that needs the slant height, or the reverse.
Rounding π to 3 midway through a calculator question and losing accuracy marks.

Formulae for this statement

Circumference of a circleC = 2πr = πdYou must know this Area of a circleA = πr²You must know this Curved surface area of a coneA = πrlGiven in the exam Surface area of a sphereA = 4πr²Given in the exam Volume of a sphereV = 4/3 πr³Given in the exam Volume of a coneV = 1/3 πr²hGiven in the exam

Sample questions (10 of 30)

G17 · Circles, composite shapes, spheres, pyramids and conesQuestion 1 of 10 · 0 correct

Practice mode· no pressure · hints available

Geometry and measures

G17

Beginner

A rectangular photograph is 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. Work out the perimeter of the photograph.

💡 Hints:

Foundation worksheet Higher worksheet Foundation geometry and measures practice Higher geometry and measures practice

Nearby statements

G1Geometric terms, notation and diagrams G2Ruler and compass constructions and loci G3Angle facts, parallel lines and polygons

Questions people ask

Is circles, composite shapes, spheres, pyramids and cones on Foundation or Higher?

Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.

Can I use a calculator for circles, composite shapes, spheres, pyramids and cones?

Yes, on Papers 2 and 3, which are the calculator papers and where questions on this usually sit. Paper 1 is non-calculator.

What is the single most common mistake here?

Using the diameter in πr². The formula takes the radius, so an answer four times too large means the diameter went in.

Are these past paper questions?

No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.

Back to Geometry and measures at Foundation or at Higher.