1. Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms
Geometry
Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms

2. Surface Area
Surface Area – the total area of all the surfaces, or faces, of an object.
To find the surface area of an object we can add up the areas of the separate faces. h w l

3. Surface Area
Example: This is a rectangular prism. The l, w and h have different values.
Do any of the sides have the same size and shape? h w l

4. Surface Area
In a rectangular prism there are three pairs of opposite and equal sides.
We can find the surface area of this prism by adding the areas of the two brown sides (A), the two green sides (B) and the two red sides (C). C h B A w l

5. Surface Area We should use a table to tabulate the various areas.
Example:
Side
Area
Number of Sides
Total Area A B C
TOTAL C
4cm B A
3cm
5cm

6. Surface Area We should use a table to tabulate the various areas.
Example:
Side
Area
Number of Sides
Total Area A
20cm2 2
40cm2 B C
TOTAL C
4cm B A
3cm
5cm

7. Surface Area We should use a table to tabulate the various areas.
Example:
Side
Area
Number of Sides
Total Area A
20cm2 2
40cm2 B
12cm2
24cm2 C
TOTAL C
4cm B A
3cm
5cm

8. Surface Area We should use a table to tabulate the various areas.
Example:
Side
Area
Number of Sides
Total Area A
20cm2 2
40cm2 B
12cm2
24cm2 C
15cm2
30cm2
TOTAL C
4cm B A
3cm
5cm

9. Surface Area We should use a table to tabulate the various areas.
Example:
Side
Area
Number of Sides
Total Area A
20cm2 2
40cm2 B
12cm2
24cm2 C
15cm2
30cm2
TOTAL 6
94cm2 C
4cm B A
3cm
5cm

10. Surface Area Now you try...find the surface area! Example: B C A B C
Side
Area
No of Sides
Total
2.8cm C A
3.2cm B C
1.9cm

11. Surface Area
Can we calculate a formula for the area of a rectangular prism?

12. Surface Area SA = 2lw + 2wh + 2lh
Formula – Surface Area of a Rectangular Prism
SA = 2lw + 2wh + 2lh