Mission 229
Build a Planet: Guess Its Blocks Before It Lands
Badge: Planet Maker
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Estimate an 11-block-wide planet with a formula, then build and count it.
A new planet is about to land in Shape Park. Before it does, you have one job: predict exactly how big it is.
- New skill Building a sphere layer by layer
- Level 3 · Dream City
- Difficulty Beginner
- Mode Creative
- Time 35–45 min
- Ages 13+
What you’ll build
Before your planet lands, estimate its size with a volume formula using two possible radii. Work out each layer's radius, build solid discs from the middle outwards, count every block, then paint the surface with oceans, ice or lava and see which estimate wins.
Finish line: Your painted planet is built and counted, and you know which radius gave the better estimate.
Bonus challenge: Work out the percentage error for both estimates. Then predict the blocks in a 21-wide planet before anyone builds it.
You’ll need
- Lots of solid blocks
- Surface blocks for oceans, ice or lava
- A calculator
You choose
- My planet's name
- Its world type (lava, ice, ocean, alien jungle…)
- Radius I'm betting on: 5 or 5.5
Stuck?
- Lopsided planet? Build from the middle layer outwards and copy each upper disc to the matching lower one.
- Lost count? Write down each disc's total as you finish it, then add them up at the end.
- Discs look square? Plot each layer with your circle hack from Mission 221.
For grown-ups
Get this mission
This mission is in Mission Pack 22 (Level 3: Dream City). Its printables arrive in the store soon. We release about one level a month.
Print one mission at a time. You never need to print everything.
Played on Minecraft Bedrock on iPad. Buttons can differ on other devices and versions.