Abigail Gonzales / Kelcey Heaney

Mr. Acre / Mrs. Gravel

GAT / IDS
28 February 2014

Cuboctahedron

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Cubo-octa-what? That is right, a cuboctahedron. A lot of people do not even know what
that is. A cuboctahedron is a three-dimensional object that contains eight equilateral triangles and
six square faces making a total of 14 faces. There are two different faces in the cuboctahedron,
therefore not making it a Platonic solid but an Archimedean solid. A cuboctahedron with an
18cmx18cm cube will be presented in this paper. Various formulas for finding the length,
volume, and total surface area of the cuboctahedron will be solved for.
The first thing that will be solved for the cuboctahedron is the total surface area. To find
the total surface area, first the area of both faces must be found. There are six square faces and
eight triangular faces. The area of a square will be multiplied by six and the area of a triangle
will be multiplied by eight. Then, both of the areas will be added together.

Figure 1. Measurements for one square face

Figure 1 is one square face of the cube which is outlined in blue. The length of a side of
the square for the cuboctahedron was found by using a 90, 45, 45 triangle. The length of one
side can be found by using the expression 1/2(x)(2). The x of the expression will be 18cm and
has to be plugged in to find one side length of the square.
Expression: 1/2(x)(2)
Substitute: 1/2(18)(2)

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Simplify: 92
One side length of the square equals 92cm then. The surface area of the square can now be
found with the equation A= B(H).
Equation: A= B(H)4
Substitute: A= (92)(92)
Simplify: A = 812
The surface area of one square then equals 812cm. Since there are six square faces, the area of
one square has to then be multiplied by six.
Equation: A= 812(6)
Simplify: A= 4862
The area of all of the square faces combined equals 4862cm.

Figure 2. Measurements for one triangular face

Figure 2 shows the measurements for one triangular face. The triangle is outlined in blue
and this diagram shows that each side of the triangle can be found using the expression 1/2(x)
(2), making it an equilateral triangle. The x for the expression is again 18cm.
Expression: 1/2(x)(2)

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Substitute: 1/2(18)(2)
Simplify: 92
One side of the triangle then equals 92cm. The height of the triangle was found by using the
30, 60, 90 triangle method. The method is that one half of the side length is 1/4(x)(2). Then
to get the height, that expression has to be multiplied by 3, which changes the expression to
1/4(x)(6). The x used in the expression will once again be 18cm.
Expression: 1/4(x)(6)
Substitute: 1/4(18)(6)
Simplify: 4.5(6)
Simplify: 4.56
The height of one triangular face is then 4.56cm. The surface area of one triangle face can now
be found because the needed information, the measurement of one side length and the height of
the triangle, was found. The equation to find the area of a triangle is A= 1/2(B)(H).
Equation: A= 1/2(B)(H)
Substitute: A= 1/2(92)(4.56)
Simplify: A= 4.52(4.56)
Simplify: A= 20.2512
The area of one triangular face is therefore 20.2512cm. Since there are eight triangular faces in
total on a cuboctahedron, the answer then has to be multiplied by eight.
Equation: A= 20.2512(8)
Simplify: A= 16212
The area of all eight triangular faces equals 16212cm. To find the total surface area of the
cuboctahedron, the surface area of all six square faces and of all eight triangular faces has to be

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added together:
Equation: TSA= 4862+16212
(Can not be simplified)
The total surface area of the cuboctahedron is then 4862cm + 16212cm.
The volume of the cuboctahedron will now be found using three different methods
labeled as Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3. Case 1 will find the volume of the cuboctahedron by
cutting off all eight corners of a cube at the midpoints of the edges. Case 2 will find the volume
by having one square prism and four rectangular pyramids attached to the lateral faces. Lastly,
Case 3 will find the volume with eight tetrahedrons and six regular square pyramids.
To start off finding the volume of the cuboctahedron in Case 1, the volume of the cube
whose corners are being cut off will be found first. The volume of the cube can be found using
the equation A= L(W)(H). It has been stated before that the measurement assigned for this
project was 18cm, so that is what will be used in this equation.
Equation: A= L(W)(H)
Substitute: A= 18(18)(18)
Simplify: A= 324(18)
Simplify: A= 5832
The volume for the cube is 5832cm.

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Figure 3. 45, 45, 90 triangle

Figure 4. Equilateral triangle

Figure 5. Half of

edge
Now the area of the base of one of the corner pieces that are being cut off has to be found
in order to find the volume of one. The equation that is used to find the area of a triangle is A=
1/2(B)(H). Since the corners are being cut off at the midpoints of the edges, three 45, 45, 90
triangles are formed (figure 3) with an equilateral triangle connecting them within the cube
(figure 4). It is easier to use one of the 45, 45, 90 triangles as a base versus the equilateral
triangle. Since the corners are being cut off at the midpoints, it also makes the legs on of the 45,
45, 90 triangles 9cm because one leg is half of an edge and one edge is 18cm (figure 5). So,
9cm will be the number substituted into the equation.
Equation: A= 1/2(B)(H)
Substitute: A= 1/2(9)(9)
Simplify: A= 4.5(9)
Simplify: A= 40.5
The area of the base of one of the corner pieces is 40.5cm. The equation to find the volume of a
pyramid is V= 1/3(Ab)(Hp). The height used in the equation will be 9cm. The volume of one of
the corner pieces being cut off can now be found.

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Equation: V= 1/3(Ab)(Hp)
Substitute: V= 1/3(40.5)(9)
Simplify: V= 13.5(9)
Simplify: V= 121.5
The volume of one of the corners equals 121.5cm. Since this is the volume of only one of the
corners being cut off, the result has to be multiplied by eight to get the volume for all eight
corners being cut off.
Equation: V= 121.5(8)
Simplify: V= 972
The combined volume of all eight corner pieces being cut off is 972cm. The final step to finding
the volume of the cuboctahedron is subtracting the volume of all eight corner pieces from the
volume of the cube.
Equation: V= 5832-972
Simplify: V= 4860

The volume of the cuboctahedron equals 4860cm.

Figure 6. Measurements of prism and base of pyramid Figure 7. Finding the height of the

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pyramid
In Case 2, the height of the prism is the same as the cube making it 18cm (figure 6). The

width is 92cm because the width is the same length as one of the square faces as shown before
(figures 1 and 6). The length of the prism is also 92cm because the base is a square (figure 6).
Now the equation V= (L)(W)(H) can be used to find the volume of the prism.
Equation: V= (L)(W)(H)
Substitute: V= (92)(92)(18)
Simplify: V= 814(18)
Simplify: V= 81(2)(18)
Simplify: V= 162(18)
Simplify: V= 2916
The volume of the prism is 2916cm. Now in order to find the volume of one of the rectangular
pyramids, the area of the base has to be found using the equation A= B(H) since the base is a
square. The height of the square is the same as the prism, 18cm (figure 6), and the width is also
the same as the prism, 92cm (figure 6).
Equation: A= B(H)
Substitute: A= 18(92)
Simplify: A= 1622
The area of the base of one rectangular pyramid is then 1622cm. The last thing that needs to be

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found before finding the volume is the height of the prism. If the slant height of one of the lateral
faces and a segment going from that to the middle of the prism is found, the pythagorean
theorem can then be used to find the volume. The lateral face that will be used is one with a base
of 92cm . If cut in half, two 30, 60, 90 triangles are formed. The slant height will be the leg
of the 30, 60, 90 triangles that cut the lateral face in half. In the pythagorean theorem it will
also be the hypotenuse, or C (figure 7). To find the slant height, the expression 1/2(x)(3) can be
used.
Expression: 1/2(x)(3)
Substitute: 1/2(92)(3)
Simplify: 4.52(3)
Simplify: 4.56
The slant height then equals 4.56cm. Now the length of the segment going to the middle has to
be found. Since it is only going halfway to the middle, the segment is only half of whatever sides
are parallel to it, making it 9cm (figure 7). Now the pythagorean theorem, or A+B= C, can be
used to find the height. The A in the equation will be the length of the height.
Equation: A+B= C
Substitute: A+9= 4.56
Simplify: A+81= 20.2536
Simplify: A+81= 20.25(6)
Simplify: A+81= 121.5
Simplify: A= 40.5
Simplify: A= 40.5
The height of one rectangular pyramid is then 40.5cm. The volume of a square pyramid can

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now be found using the equation V= 1/3(Ab)(Hp).
Equation: V= 1/3(Ab)(Hp)
Substitute: V= 1/3(1622)(40.5)
Simplify: V= 1/3(16281)
Simplify: V= 1/3(162)(9)
Simplify: V= 1/3(1458)
Simplify: V= 486
The volume for one rectangular pyramid is 486cm. Since this is the volume for only one of the
rectangular pyramid pieces and the volume for all four pieces has to be found, the result has to be
multiplied by four.
Equation: V= 486(4)
Simplify: V= 1944
The volume of all rectangular pyramids combined equals 1944cm. Now to find the volume of
the actual cuboctahedron, the volume of the right square prism and the volume of all four
rectangular pyramids combined have to be added together.
Equation: V= 2916+1944
Simplify: V= 4860

Therefore, the volume for the cuboctahedron is 4860cm.

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Figure 8. Measurements for Case 3

Figure 9. Finding the height of a square pyramid

In case three the volume of the tetrahedron will be solved for first. The first step to this is
finding the area of the base with the equation A= 1/2(B)(H). One of the sides of the base of the
tetrahedron is 92cm (figure 8) because it is the same as one of the triangular faces of the
cuboctahedron. It was stated previously that one side of one a the triangular face was 92cm.
Knowing that the base is the same as one of the triangular faces also provides the height because
it was stated previously the height was 4.56.
Equation: A= 1/2(B)(H)
Substitute: A= 1/2(92)(4.56)
Simplify: A= 4.52(4.56)
Simplify: A= 20.2512
The area of a base of one of the tetrahedrons equals 20.2512cm. Now the height has to be
found in order to find the volume as well. The equation to find the height of a tetrahedron is H=
1/3(edge)(6). It has been stated before that one side of one of the tetrahedrons is 92cm.
Equation: H= 1/3(edge)(6)
Substitute: H= 1/3(92)(6)
Simplify: H= 32(6)
Simplify: H= 312
Simplify: H= 3(43)
Simplify: H= 63
The height of one tetrahedron equals 63cm. Now that the area of the base and the height for one
of the tetrahedrons have been found, the volume of one can be found. To do this, the equation V=
1/3(Ab)(Hp) can be used.

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Equation: V= 1/3(Ab)(Hp)
Substitute: V= 1/3(20.2512)(63)
Simplify: V= 1/3(121.536)
Simplify: V= 1/3(121.5)(6)
Simplify: V= 1/3(729)
Simplify: V= 243
The volume of one tetrahedron is 243cm. Since there are eight tetrahedrons needed to find the
volume of the cuboctahedron, the volume of one has to be multiplied by eight.
Equation: 243(8)
Simplify: 1944
The volume of all eight tetrahedrons combined equals 1944cm. Next, the volume of one square
pyramid will be found. First the area of the base has to be found. For the bases of the square
pyramids, they are the same as one of the square faces of the cuboctahedron. This means that all
measurements were previously found. The equation that can be used to find the area is A= (B)
(H) and the base and the height are both 92cm (figure 8).
Equation: A= (B)(H)
Substitute: A= (92)(92)
Simplify: A= 814
Simplify: A= 81(2)
Simplify: A= 162
The area of a base of one of the square pyramids is then 162cm. Now the height of one of the
square pyramids has to be found in order to find the volume of one. The pythagorean theorem
can once again be used. If one of the lateral faces is cut in half, two 30, 60, 90 triangles are

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once again formed like in Case 2 with the rectangular pyramids. Another thing from Case 2 that
can be used again is the equation to find the slant height which is 1/2(x)(3). The x used in this
expression will be 92cm since that is the base for all of the lateral faces (figures 8 and 9).
Expression: 1/2(x)(3)
Substitute: 1/2(92)(3)
Simplify: 4.52(3)
Simplify: 4.56
The slant height then equals 4.56cm. Now the length of the segment that goes to the middle is
4.52cm. This is because it is half the length of one of the sides of the base and all sides of the
base are 92cm and half of that is 4.52cm (figure 9). The pythagorean theorem, A+B= C, can
now be used to find the height. The A in the equation will be the length of the height.
Equation: A+B= C
Substitute: A+4.52= 4.56
Simplify: A+20.254= 20.2536
Simplify: A+20.25(2)= 20.25(6)
Simplify: A+40.5= 121.5
Simplify: A= 81
Simplify: A= 9
The height of one square pyramid equals 9cm. Now that both the area of the base and the height
have been found, the volume of one of the square pyramids can be found. The equation V=
1/3(Ab)(Hp) can be used in order to do so.
Equation: V= 1/3(Ab)( Hp)
Substitute: V= 1/3(162)(9)

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Simplify: V= 1/3(1458)
Simplify: V= 486
The volume of one of the square pyramids equals 486cm. This answer has to be multiplied by
six since that is the number of square pyramids in a cuboctahedron..
Equation: V= 486(6)
Simplify: V= 2916
The volume of all six square pyramids combined equals 2916cm. Now add both the combined
volume of the tetrahedrons and the combined volume of the square pyramids to get the total
volume of the cuboctahedron.
Equation: V= 1944+2916
Simplify: V= 4860
The volume of the cuboctahedron equals 4860cm. The total volume from each case
resulted in the same total volume; this shows that the math in all three cases was correct.
It is hoped that after reading this paper, the reader has a better understanding of what a
cuboctahedron is. It is also hoped that the reader know knows how to find the total surface area
and volume of a more complex shape using simple equations that they most likely already know.
Not everyday will someone see a cuboctahedron in their life, but finding the total surface area
and volume of things is something a lot of people do without thinking. An example of volume
being used in everyday life can be a cupboard. People may not know the exact volume of the
cupboards at home, but they know how many items will be able to take up the space, or volume,
inside that cupboard. An example of total surface area in everyday life could be someone buying
carpet for a room in their house. A person needs to know how much carpet they will need to
cover the floor and in order to do that, they will need to find the total surface area of the floor.

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Whether people realize it or not, math is everywhere just like our math teacher always tells us.
That gives even more reason for people to be able to do math because it is an important subject
that is not going anywhere anytime soon.

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Work Cited
Cuboctahedron. Illustration. n.d. Cuboctahedron.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuboctahedron. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.