Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2020 / Paper 1 / 19 / b

The sloping height relation on the cone is $z=b(1-r/a)$. A parametric equation of its curved surface is thereforeIts two tangent vectors are ${\mathbf{R}}_r=(\cos \theta ,\sin \theta ,-b/a)$ and ${\mathbf{R}}_{\theta }=r(-\sin \theta ,\cos \theta ,0)$. Multiplication by $dr$ and $d\theta$ produces the two infinitesimal sides requested in the paper. Their cross product is the vector area element:Its radial component is positive, so this normal vector points outwards from the solid cone. Taking its norm gives the scalar area elementThe parametric equation degenerates at the apex, but that single point contributes no area.