Cross section - GCSE Maths Definition

In GCSE Maths, a "cross section" refers to the shape you get when you slice through a solid object. Imagine cutting through a loaf of bread: the flat surface that you see on the inside is the cross section. It shows you a 2D shape of what the inside of the object looks like at the point where you cut it. Cross sections help us understand the internal structure of 3D shapes like cylinders, cones, and prisms. For example, if you slice through a cylinder, you will see a circle as the cross section. Understanding cross sections is important because it helps in solving problems related to volume and surface area.