Right cone

Definition

A right cone is a cone in which the line joining the vertex to the center of the base is perpendicular to the plane of the base.

What exactly defines a cone?

A cone has two important defining features: a base, and a slant height that is equal, from any point on the base. Generally, a "cone" is defined as a right, circular cone.

What is so special about right cones?

Right cones have a height that is perpendicular to the base. This makes the volume easy to calculate.

What about the "lateral surface area"? What's that?

The lateral surface area is a fancy name for the surface area of a cone, without the base. The lateral surface area can be found by calculating what proportion of a circle with radius of the slant height makes up the cone.