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Understanding the Total Surface Area of a Prism

We will learn how to find the total surface area of any prism by visualising it as an 'unfolded' net. We'll see that the total surface area is just the sum of the areas of the two identical bases and the rectangular sides.

Prism
Think of a prism like a loaf of bread. No matter where you slice it, you get the exact same shape. This shape is called the base.
Step-by-step solver
1

Identify the shape of the base

Look at the prism and determine the 2D shape of its uniform cross-section (e.g., triangle, rectangle).

2

Calculate the area of one base (B)

Use the appropriate area formula for that 2D shape.

B=AreaBaseB = \text{Area}_{\text{Base}}
3

Calculate the perimeter of the base (P)

Add up the lengths of all the outer edges of the base shape.

P=PerimeterBaseP = \text{Perimeter}_{\text{Base}}
4

Identify the length/height of the prism (h)

Find the distance connecting the two identical bases.

h=Lengthh = \text{Length}
5

Calculate Total Surface Area

Plug the values into the surface area formula.

A=2B+PhA = 2B + Ph

Original question

total sir face area of each prism

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