cylinder

Everyday

1. A cylinder is a 3D shape with two equal flat circles at the ends and one curved side joining them, like a tin of beans. tree →
2. A cylinder is a tube-shaped container or machine part, such as a gas cylinder or the cylinder in a car engine. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons a cylinder is a solid shape with 2 flat faces (circles), 1 curved face and 2 curved edges, and no corners; you can find its volume. In science and everyday life gas comes in cylinders. Phrases: «gas cylinder», «oxygen cylinder», «firing on all cylinders».

Examples

• A tin of soup is a cylinder. tree →
• A cylinder has two circle faces and one curved face. tree →
• How many flat faces does a cylinder have? tree →
• Divers carry oxygen cylinders. tree →
• Keep the gas cylinder away from fire. tree →
• The team is firing on all cylinders today. tree →
• For instance, why a piece of iron which is rubbed on a cylinder, should become magnetic. tree →

Note

Spelling: cy-lin-der (y after c). Countable. Faces: 2 flat + 1 curved; edges: 2; vertices: 0. Volume = area of the circle end × height. Do not mix with a cone (one circle and a point).