Plans & Elevations (Edexcel GCSE Maths: Foundation)

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Jamie W

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Jamie W

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Plans & Elevations

What are plans and elevations?

  • They are two-dimensional views of a three-dimensional object
  • They are the mathematical shapes you would see when looking directly at a 3D object from a given direction

How do I draw plans and elevations?

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

3D church

  • The view you would see looking directly down on an object is called the plan view
    • This is commonly known as a bird's-eye-view

Plan view of church

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

Church front view

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

Church side view

Examiner Tip

  • These questions often require your answer to be drawn on a grid, using the grid as a scale
    • It is a good idea to roughly sketch out your answer first – on the side of the page or on a separate sheet
  • With isometric drawings, it's helpful to colour-code 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 (stripes 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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Jamie W

Author: Jamie W

Expertise: Maths

Jamie graduated in 2014 from the University of Bristol with a degree in Electronic and Communications Engineering. He has worked as a teacher for 8 years, in secondary schools and in further education; teaching GCSE and A Level. He is passionate about helping students fulfil their potential through easy-to-use resources and high-quality questions and solutions.