Surface Area
The boundary of three-dimensional objects consists of several two-dimensional shapes. The total area of these shapes is called the surface area of the object. It gives some idea of how large an object is, but now how much space it takes up. This is measured by volume, which we will discuss next. Watch this lecture series and complete the interactive exercises to practice calculating the surface area of rectangular prisms.
Practice
Expressions to find surface area - Answers
1. Finally, we add the area of all 5 faces. The surface area of the rectangular prism can be found with the following expression:
2. There are six square faces with an area of 16 square units each. The following expression represents the surface area of the cube.
3. Finally, we add the area of all 5 faces.
The following expression represents the surface area of the triangular prism.
4. Finally, we add the area of all 6 faces.
The following expression represents the surface area of the rectangular prism.
