Get in Shape With Geometry

Surface Area Soccer
What is Surface Area?

The examples below will help you learn how to find surface area.

Example 1:  Find the surface area of the rectangular prism below.

l = 12 in
w = 4 in
h = 5 in

Find the are of each of the faces.

Front - A = 12(5) = 60 in²
Back - A = 60 in²
Top - A = 12(4) = 48 in²
Bottom - A = 48 in²
Side - A = 4(5) = 20 in²
Side - A = 20 in² 

Now, add the areas of all the faces together to find the total surface area.

Surface Area = 60 + 60 + 48 + 48 + 20 + 20 = 256 in²

Example 2:  Find the surface area of the cube below.  It is sometimes helpful to think of the net. 

  The length of each side is 5 centimeters. 

Since each of the sides is a square, you can find the area of one of them and multiply by 6 to find the surface area.

A = 5(5) = 25 cm²

Surface Area = 6(25) = 150 cm²

After you have tried all of the examples above and have an understanding of surface area, you are ready to practice your skills!

Go on to Surface Area Practice!

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