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Secondary 2 · Mathematics
3D shapes · Solids

Surface Area of Solids

Before you start, make sure you know: Perimeters and areas of polygons (Secondary Year 1)
Before you start, make sure you know: Circumference and circle (Secondary Year 1)

How much cardboard do you need for a shoe box? How much sheet metal for a can of chiles? To find out, you need the surface area of the solid: the sum of the areas of all its faces. The trick is always the same: imagine the solid unfolded, lying flat on the table.

Lateral Area and Total Area

When you unfold a solid you get its net: the faces joined along their edges and spread out on the plane. The area of the solid is the area of that net. That's why you don't need to memorize everything: just draw the net and add up.

Net of a cube made up of six equal squares arranged in a cross, with its area formula. net of the cube: 6 squares Area of the cube A = 6 · a²
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An artisan is making giant wooden dice for a games center. If each die is a perfect cube with an edge length of $a = 12 \text{ cm}$, calculate the total surface area of…

An artisan is making giant wooden dice for a games center. If each die is a perfect cube with an edge length of $a = 12 \text{ cm}$, calculate the total surface area of wood they will have to paint on each of the dice.

a = 12 cm a a
Solve
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Calculate the total surface area of a shoebox in the shape of a rectangular prism whose dimensions are $15 \text{ cm}$ wide, $30 \text{ cm}$ long and $10 \text{ cm}$…

Calculate the total surface area of a shoebox in the shape of a rectangular prism whose dimensions are $15 \text{ cm}$ wide, $30 \text{ cm}$ long and $10 \text{ cm}$ high. Draw a sketch of its net to help you with the calculation.

30 cm 10 cm 15 cm 30 cm 15 cm 10 cm 15 cm 10 cm
Solve
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Observe the net of this geometric solid. If each of the isosceles triangles has an area of $15 \text{ cm}^2$ and the central square has a side of $6 \text{ cm}$, what is…

Observe the net of this geometric solid. If each of the isosceles triangles has an area of $15 \text{ cm}^2$ and the central square has a side of $6 \text{ cm}$, what is the total area of the figure when assembled? What geometric solid is formed?

6 cm 15 cm² 15 cm² 15 cm² 15 cm²
Solve

Surface Area of a Prism

The lateral faces of a right prism, unfolded, form a rectangle whose base is the perimeter of the prism's base and whose height is the height of the prism.

$$A_L = P_{base} \times h \qquad\qquad A_T = A_L + 2 \times A_{base}$$ Net of a square prism showing the unfolded lateral rectangle and the two rectangular bases. perimeter of the base h

Hexagonal base

If the base is a regular hexagon with side $l$, its apothem comes from the Pythagorean theorem in the triangle formed by half the side, the apothem, and the radius (which measures $l$): $ap^2 = l^2 - \left(\frac{l}{2}\right)^2$, that is, $ap = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\,l$. The area of the base is $\frac{P \times ap}{2}$.

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A garden tent is shaped like a right regular triangular prism. The base is an equilateral triangle with side length $l = 3 \text{ m}$. If the length of the tent (height…

A garden tent is shaped like a right regular triangular prism. The base is an equilateral triangle with side length $l = 3 \text{ m}$. If the length of the tent (height of the prism) is $5 \text{ m}$, calculate the lateral area of the tent (excluding the two triangular bases).

Right regular triangular prism representing a garden tent with a 3 m base and a 5 m lengthl = 3 mequilateral baseh = 5 m (length)Lateral areaAL = ?
Solve
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For a design and technology project, you have to make a wooden box in the shape of a regular hexagonal prism. The base edge measures $4\text{ cm}$ and the height of the…

For a design and technology project, you have to make a wooden box in the shape of a regular hexagonal prism. The base edge measures $4\text{ cm}$ and the height of the prism is $15\text{ cm}$. Calculate the total surface area of wood you will need to build the box (including the two bases).

(Note: To find the area of the base, remember that you must first calculate the apothem of the hexagon using Pythagoras' theorem).

a 4 2 15 cm 4 cm
Solve
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Calculate the total surface area of a cube knowing that the diagonal of one of its faces is $10\text{ cm}$. (Hint: Use Pythagoras' theorem on one of the faces to find…

Calculate the total surface area of a cube knowing that the diagonal of one of its faces is $10\text{ cm}$.

(Hint: Use Pythagoras' theorem on one of the faces to find the edge length of the cube before calculating the area).

a a 10 cm
Solve

Surface Area of a Pyramid

The lateral faces of a regular pyramid are equal triangles, with base equal to the side $l$ of the base and height equal to the slant height of the pyramid $ap$ (which is not the same as the height $h$).

$$A_L = \frac{P_{base} \times ap}{2} \qquad\qquad A_T = A_L + A_{base}$$ Net of a square pyramid with a square base, four lateral triangles, and the slant height marked. ap 4 triangles each one: l · ap / 2 + base: l²
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Find the total surface area of a regular square pyramid if we know that the side length of the square base measures $8 \text{ cm}$ and the slant height of its side faces…

Find the total surface area of a regular square pyramid if we know that the side length of the square base measures $8 \text{ cm}$ and the slant height of its side faces is $10 \text{ cm}$.

ap = 10 cm l = 8 cm
Solve
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A tent for a youth event is in the shape of a regular square pyramid. The side of the square base measures $10\text{ m}$ and the height of the pyramid (from the center…

A tent for a youth event is in the shape of a regular square pyramid. The side of the square base measures $10\text{ m}$ and the height of the pyramid (from the center of the base to the top vertex) is $12\text{ m}$. Calculate how many square meters of canvas were needed to make the four side faces of the tent.

10 m h = 12 m 5 m a
Solve
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A design company wants to manufacture a ceiling lamp in the shape of a regular hexagonal pyramid. The side length of the hexagonal base is $10\text{ cm}$ and the height…

A design company wants to manufacture a ceiling lamp in the shape of a regular hexagonal pyramid. The side length of the hexagonal base is $10\text{ cm}$ and the height of the pyramid is $24\text{ cm}$. For the light to project correctly, they must line the side faces with a special copper sheet. Calculate how many $\text{cm}^2$ of copper sheet are needed to cover the lateral surface area of the lamp. Bear in mind that you will first need to find the apothem of the base and, using it, the slant height of the pyramid.

h = 24 ap Ap l = 10
Solve

Frustum of a Pyramid

If you cut a pyramid with a plane parallel to the base and remove the tip, what's left is a frustum of a pyramid. Its lateral faces are equal trapezoids, with bases $l$ and $l'$ (the sides of the two bases) and height equal to the slant height of the frustum $ap$.

$$A_L = \frac{(P + P') \times ap}{2} \qquad\qquad A_T = A_L + A_{larger\ base} + A_{smaller\ base}$$

Here $P$ and $P'$ are the perimeters of the two bases. It's the trapezoid formula applied to all the faces at once.

You can't measure the slant height of the frustum directly if you're given the height $h$: it comes from a right triangle with legs $h$ and half the difference of the sides, $\frac{L - l}{2}$.

Right triangle of the frustum of a pyramid: legs are the height h and half the difference of the sides, and the hypotenuse is the slant height ap. h ap (L − l) / 2 ap² = h² + ((L − l) / 2)²
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A modern planter is shaped like a frustum of a regular square pyramid. The bases are two squares with sides $20\text{ cm}$ and $12\text{ cm}$ respectively. If the height…

A modern planter is shaped like a frustum of a regular square pyramid. The bases are two squares with sides $20\text{ cm}$ and $12\text{ cm}$ respectively. If the height of the side faces (the slant height of the frustum) is $10\text{ cm}$, calculate the total outer surface area of the planter (including upper and lower bases).

ap = 10 cm 20 cm 12 cm
Solve
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An architect has designed a glass skylight for a museum consisting of a frustum of a regular square pyramid. The lower base has a side length of $4\text{ m}$, the upper…

An architect has designed a glass skylight for a museum consisting of a frustum of a regular square pyramid. The lower base has a side length of $4\text{ m}$, the upper base a side length of $2\text{ m}$ and the height of the frustum is $1.5\text{ m}$. The glass used for the side faces costs $85\text{ \$/m}^2$. Calculate the budget required to buy the glass for the lateral surface area, rounding the result to two decimal places.

h=1.5m L = 4 m l = 2 m
Solve

Surface Area of a Cylinder

When you unfold a cylinder you get a rectangle (the lateral face) and two circles. The rectangle has a base of $2\pi r$, because that is the length of the circumference of the base, and a height of $h$.

$$A_L = 2\pi r h \qquad\qquad A_T = 2\pi r h + 2\pi r^2$$ Net of a cylinder: a lateral rectangle with base 2πr and two circles of radius r. 2πr h Lateral: 2πrh Bases: 2 · πr²
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For a design and technology project, you need to cover a cylindrical pencil holder with adhesive paper. The pencil holder has a base radius of $r = 4 \text{ cm}$ and a…

For a design and technology project, you need to cover a cylindrical pencil holder with adhesive paper. The pencil holder has a base radius of $r = 4 \text{ cm}$ and a height of $h = 12 \text{ cm}$. Calculate how many square centimeters of paper you will need, knowing that the pencil holder is open at the top (it only has one base). Take $\pi \approx 3.14$.

r=4 h=12
Solve
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Calculate the curved surface area of a cylinder whose base circumference measures $C = 25.12 \text{ cm}$ and whose height is $h = 10 \text{ cm}$. (Hint: Remember that…

Calculate the curved surface area of a cylinder whose base circumference measures $C = 25.12 \text{ cm}$ and whose height is $h = 10 \text{ cm}$. (Hint: Remember that when you unfold the cylinder, the curved surface area is a rectangle whose base is the length of the circumference).

h C Curved Surface Area h = 10 C = 25.12
Solve
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An artisan candle maker wants to cover the lateral surface of a cylindrical candle with silver protective paper. The candle has a diameter of $8\text{ cm}$ and a height…

An artisan candle maker wants to cover the lateral surface of a cylindrical candle with silver protective paper. The candle has a diameter of $8\text{ cm}$ and a height of $20\text{ cm}$. If the paper only needs to cover the curved part (excluding the bases), what surface area of paper is needed for each candle? Use $\pi \approx 3.14$.

d=8 cm h=20 cm Protective paper (Curved surface area) L = π·d 20 cm
Solve

Surface Area of a Cone

The net of a cone is a circular sector (the lateral face) plus a circle (the base). The sector has radius $g$, the slant height, and an arc equal to the circumference of the base.

$$A_L = \pi r g \qquad\qquad A_T = \pi r g + \pi r^2$$ Net of a cone: a circular sector of radius g and a circle of radius r. g r Lateral: π · r · g Base: π · r²
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In a designer ice cream parlour, they have created a wafer shaped like a right cone whose height is $12\text{ cm}$ and whose base radius is $5\text{ cm}$. Calculate the…

In a designer ice cream parlour, they have created a wafer shaped like a right cone whose height is $12\text{ cm}$ and whose base radius is $5\text{ cm}$. Calculate the total surface area of the wafer (curved surface area plus the base circle) to find out how much chocolate they need to coat it completely.

(Hint: First you will need to find the slant height of the cone).

h = 12 cm r = 5 cm g = ?
Solve
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An industrial storage tank is shaped like a right cylinder topped by a cone with the same base. The height of the cylindrical part is $8\text{ m}$ and the height of the…

An industrial storage tank is shaped like a right cylinder topped by a cone with the same base. The height of the cylindrical part is $8\text{ m}$ and the height of the conical part is $3\text{ m}$. The diameter of the tank is $8\text{ m}$. It is desired to paint the entire outer lateral surface and the top surface (cone), but not the base on which it rests. If each tin of paint can cover $15\text{ m}^2$, what is the minimum number of tins of paint that must be bought?

d = 8 m h₁ = 8 m h₂ = 3 m
Solve

Surface Area of a Sphere

The sphere can't be unfolded, but its area is found with a very simple formula: four times the area of its great circle.

$$A = 4\pi r^2$$ Representation of the area of a sphere compared with four circles of the same radius. = 4 circlesof radius r

The hemisphere (half a sphere) has a curved surface of $2\pi r^2$. If you also need its flat circular base, you add $\pi r^2$, and the total is $3\pi r^2$.

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A basketball has a radius of $r = 12 \text{ cm}$. Calculate the area of leather required to make it, rounding the result to two decimal places. (Remember that the…

A basketball has a radius of $r = 12 \text{ cm}$. Calculate the area of leather required to make it, rounding the result to two decimal places. (Remember that the surface area of a sphere is $A = 4 \times \pi \times r^2$).

r = 12 cm
Solve
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The dome of an astronomical observatory in the shape of a hemisphere of radius $6\text{ meters}$ is to be restored. If the budget for painting is $\$300…

The dome of an astronomical observatory in the shape of a hemisphere of radius $6\text{ meters}$ is to be restored. If the budget for painting is $\$300$ per square meter, how much will it cost to paint the outer surface of the dome? (Use $\pi \approx 3.14$).

r = 6 m Outer surface area $300/m²
Solve
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A gym ball manufacturer produces rubber spheres in two sizes. The small ball has a surface area of $5024\text{ cm}^2$. The large ball has a radius that is exactly double…

A gym ball manufacturer produces rubber spheres in two sizes. The small ball has a surface area of $5024\text{ cm}^2$. The large ball has a radius that is exactly double that of the small ball. Calculate the surface area of the large ball. What is the numerical ratio between the area of the large ball and that of the small one? Use $\pi = 3.14$.

r A₁ = 5024 cm² 2r A₂ = ? Radius × 2 A₂/A₁ = ?
Solve

Composite Solids

Many real objects are the union of two solids: a lighthouse (cylinder and cone), a tank, a greenhouse (half a cylinder). The rule is:

  1. Identify each part.

  2. Add only the surfaces that are visible or that are going to be covered.

  3. Remove the faces that are glued together and the ones resting on the ground if the problem says so.

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A decorative garden lighthouse is made up of two solids: a cylinder of radius $10\text{ cm}$ and height $30\text{ cm}$, topped by a cone with the same base and a slant…

A decorative garden lighthouse is made up of two solids: a cylinder of radius $10\text{ cm}$ and height $30\text{ cm}$, topped by a cone with the same base and a slant height of $15\text{ cm}$. Calculate the total outer surface area of this lighthouse (excluding the base on which it rests).

r=10 h=30 g=15
Solve
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An acrylic trophy has been designed consisting of a right cylinder of height $10\text{ cm}$ and diameter $6\text{ cm}$, from which a perfect hemisphere has been removed…

An acrylic trophy has been designed consisting of a right cylinder of height $10\text{ cm}$ and diameter $6\text{ cm}$, from which a perfect hemisphere has been removed at the upper base, whose radius matches exactly the radius of the cylinder. Calculate the total surface area of the trophy (outer cylindrical surface, surface of the bottom base and the curved surface of the hemispherical hollow). Use $\pi \approx 3.14$.

10 cm r=3 cm
Solve
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A greenhouse is to be built in the shape of a half-cylinder resting on the ground, as shown in the diagram. The length of the greenhouse is $15\text{ m}$ and the width…

A greenhouse is to be built in the shape of a half-cylinder resting on the ground, as shown in the diagram. The length of the greenhouse is $15\text{ m}$ and the width of the base (the diameter of the half-cylinder) is $6\text{ m}$. If the plastic to cover the curved part and the two front walls (semicircles) costs $12\text{ \$/m}^2$, what will be the total cost of the plastic required? (The floor is not included).

6 m 15 m $12/m²
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Solids with Holes or Cuts

When you make a hole in a solid or cut off a corner, the area changes in two ways: you lose the part of the original faces that was removed, and you gain the new surfaces.

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A wooden cube of edge length $12\text{ cm}$ is cut by a plane passing through the midpoints of three edges meeting at the same vertex, removing a small triangular…

A wooden cube of edge length $12\text{ cm}$ is cut by a plane passing through the midpoints of three edges meeting at the same vertex, removing a small triangular pyramid (an irregular tetrahedron). Calculate the total surface area of the resulting solid left after removing the small pyramid. Hint: The cut creates a new face that is an equilateral triangle whose sides are the diagonals of squares with side length $6\text{ cm}$.

12 cm 6 cm 6 cm d
Solve
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A mechanical steel part has the shape of a right square-based prism with a cylindrical hole running through it from base to base at the center. The side of the square…

A mechanical steel part has the shape of a right square-based prism with a cylindrical hole running through it from base to base at the center. The side of the square base of the prism measures $10\text{ cm}$ and the height of the part is $20\text{ cm}$. The diameter of the cylindrical hole is $8\text{ cm}$. Calculate the total surface area of the part (including the inner surface of the hole).

10 cm 20 cm r=4cm
Solve

Back to the beginning: the shoe box of $30 \times 20 \times 12$ cm needs $2{,}400\text{ cm}^2$ of cardboard, and the can with a radius of $3$ cm and a height of $10$ cm needs about $245\text{ cm}^2$ of sheet metal.

Summary

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