8-7 Surface Area
Learn to find the surface areas of prisms,
pyramids, and cylinders.
8-7 Surface Area
Vocabulary
surface area
net
8-7 Surface Area
The surface area of a three-
dimensional figure is the sum of the
areas of its surfaces. To help you see
all the surfaces of a three-dimensional
figure, you can use a net. A net is the
pattern made when the surface of a
three-dimensional figure is layed out
flat showing each face of the figure.
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 1A: Finding the Surface Area
of a Prism
Find the surface area S of the prism.
Method 1: Use a net.
Draw a net to help you see each face of the prism.
Use the formula A = lw to find the area of each face.
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 1A Continued
A: A = 5 2 = 10
B: A = 12 5 = 60
C: A = 12 2 = 24
D: A = 12 5 = 60
E: A = 12 2 = 24
F: A = 5 2 = 10
Add the areas of each face.
S = 10 + 60 + 24 + 60 + 24 + 10 = 188
The surface area is 188 in2.
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 1B: Finding the Surface Area of a
Prism
Find the surface area S of each prism.
Method 2: Use a three-dimensional drawing.
Find the area of the front, top, and side, and
multiply each by 2 to include the opposite faces.
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 1B Continued
Front: 9 7 = 63 63 2 = 126
Top: 9 5 = 45 45 2 = 90
Side: 7 5 = 35 35 2 = 70
S = 126 + 90 + 70 = 286 Add the areas of each face.
The surface area is 286 cm2.
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 1A
Find the surface area S of the prism.
Method 1: Use a net.
A 3 in.
6 in. 3 6 in. 3
in. in.
3 in. 6 in. 11 in.
11 in.
B C D E
F 3 in.
Draw a net to help you see each face of the prism.
Use the formula A = lw to find the area of each face.
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 1A
A: A = 6 3 = 18
A 3 in.
B: A = 11 6 = 66
6 in. 3 6 in. 3
C: A = 11 3 = 33 in. in.
11 in.
D: A = 11 6 = 66
E: A = 11 3 = 33 B C D E
F: A = 6 3 = 18 F 3 in.
Add the areas of each face.
S = 18 + 66 + 33 + 66 + 33 + 18 = 234
The surface area is 234 in2.
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 1B
Find the surface area S of each prism.
Method 2: Use a three-dimensional drawing.
top
front side
8 cm
6 cm 10 cm
Find the area of the front, top, and side, and
multiply each by 2 to include the opposite faces.
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 1B Continued
top
front side
8 cm
6 cm 10 cm
Front: 8 6 = 48 48 2 = 96
Top: 10 6 = 60 60 2 = 120
Side: 10 8 = 80 80 2 = 160
S = 160 + 120 + 96 = 376 Add the areas of each face.
The surface area is 376 cm2.
8-7 Surface Area
The surface area of a pyramid equals the
sum of the area of the base and the areas
of the triangular faces. To find the surface
area of a pyramid, think of its net.
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 2: Finding the Surface Area of a
Pyramid
Find the surface area S of the pyramid.
S = area of square + 4 (area of
triangular face)
1
S = s2 + 4 (__bh)
2
1
S = 72 + 4 ( __ 7 8) Substitute.
2
S = 49 + 4 28
S = 49 + 112
S = 161
The surface area is 161 ft2.
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 2
Find the surface area S of the pyramid.
S = area of square + 4 (area of
triangular face)
5 ft 10 ft 1
S = s2 + 4 (__bh)
2
5 ft
1
S = 52 + 4 ( __ 5 10) Substitute.
10 ft 2
S = 25 + 4 25
5 ft
S = 25 + 100
S = 125
The surface area is 125 ft2.
8-7 Surface Area
The surface area of a cylinder equals the
sum of the area of its bases and the area
of its curved surface.
Helpful Hint
To find the area of the curved surface of a
cylinder, multiply its height by the
circumference of the base.
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 3: Finding the Surface Area of a
Cylinder
Find the surface area S of the cylinder. Use
3.14 for , and round to the nearest hundredth.
ft
S = area of curved surface + 2 (area of each base)
S = h (2r) + 2 (r2) Substitute.
S = 7 (2 4) + 2 ( 42)
8-7 Surface Area
Additional Example 3 Continued
Find the surface area S of the cylinder. Use
3.14 for , and round to the nearest hundredth.
S = 7 8 + 2 16
S 7 8(3.14) + 2 16(3.14) Use 3.14 for .
S 7 25.12 + 2 50.24
S 175.84 + 100.48
S 276.32
The surface area is about 276.32 ft2.
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 3
Find the surface area S of the cylinder. Use
3.14 for , and round to the nearest hundredth.
6 ft
9 ft
S = area of curved surface + 2 (area of each base)
S = h (2r) + 2 (r2) Substitute.
S = 9 (2 6) + 2 ( 62)
8-7 Surface Area
Check It Out: Example 3 Continued
Find the surface area S of the cylinder. Use
3.14 for , and round to the nearest hundredth.
S = 9 12 + 2 36
S 9 12(3.14) + 2 36(3.14) Use 3.14 for .
S 9 37.68 + 2 113.04
S 339.12 + 226.08
S 565.2
The surface area is about 565.2 ft2.
