Plans & Elevations (Edexcel GCSE Maths)

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Plans & Elevations

What are plans and elevations?

  • These are two-dimensional views of a three-dimensional object
  • They are the mathematical shapes you would see when looking directly at a 3D object, ignoring colour, shade, vanishing points, etc.
  • This topic is often used alongside Isometric Drawing

What do I need to know?

  • Consider looking at a 3D object, such as a building
    • Think about the different directions you could look at the object from
    • There is the front view, the side view and the view from directly above

Church 3D, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

  • The view you would see if you were looking directly down on an object is called the plan view
    • This is commonly known as a birds-eye-view

Church Plan, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

  • The shape you would see if you were stood directly in front of the object is called the front elevation

Church Front, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

  • The shape you would see if you were stood directly facing the side of the object is called the side elevation

Exam Tip

  • These questions often require your answer to be drawn on a given grid using the grid as a scale
    • To avoid having to repeatedly rub out and change your working it is a good idea to roughly sketch out your answer first – either on the side of the page or on a separate sheet of paper
  • With isometric drawings, it is often helpful to colour the three views on the diagram
    • This will make it easier for you to see the three elevations and any ‘hidden’ parts
    • If you don’t have colours you can use different types of shading (lines, dots, crosses, etc)

Worked example

Using squared paper draw the plan, front and side elevations of the object shown below on isometric paper.

   

Q1 3D Isometric No Colour, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

It can be helpful to colour each of the three views in three different colours.

Q1 3D Isometric With Colour, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

As you draw each of three views, make sure you label them clearly to say which is the plan, the front elevation and the side elevation.Q1 Answer Plan, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

Notice that two of the squares shaded orange cannot be seen from the side as they are hidden by the cubes in front of them.

Q1 Answer Side, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

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Amber

Author: Amber

Amber gained a first class degree in Mathematics & Meteorology from the University of Reading before training to become a teacher. She is passionate about teaching, having spent 8 years teaching GCSE and A Level Mathematics both in the UK and internationally. Amber loves creating bright and informative resources to help students reach their potential.