Surface Area
For Example: The Surface Area of a Rectangular Prism is the Area of the Top, Bottom, Front, Back, Left, and Right... All added together. Since each piece is made from a rectangle, the formula is A = LW for each piece. Then add for a total.
Another Example: A Triangular Prism is made up of 2 Triangles and 3 Rectangles. So to find the Surface Area of this figure, You find the area of each Triangle (A = bh/2), the Area of the 3 different rectangles (A=LW), then add it all up.
Volume
Volume is the amount of space on the INSIDE of a 3d figure. It is the amount of water in the fish tank, the amount of gasoline in the car's tank, the amount of Cheerios in the bowl, the amount of Soda in the can.
To solve for the Volume: You find the Area of the base of the figure, then multiply by the height of the figure.
To solve for the Volume: You find the Area of the base of the figure, then multiply by the height of the figure.
Surface Area Project
This year, you may be asked to complete a Surface Area project. Below are the instructions. Have fun with this and be creative!
Volume Project
This year, you may be asked to complete a Volume project. You will design your very own flavor of ice cream and determine what type of container the ice cream should fit into. You will find the volume of the figure and design a label for your ice cream. Let your creativity shine in this project!