Calculating Surface Area of 3D Shapes

Sheena Doria

This educational math video provides a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on calculating the surface area of six common solid figures: a cube, rectangular prism, triangular prism, square pyramid, cylinder, cone, and sphere. Hosted by an animated teacher avatar in a digital classroom setting, the video introduces each 3D shape, identifies its key dimensions (such as length, width, height, radius, and slant height), presents the specific formula for its surface area, and then walks through a worked example using substitution and calculation. The video covers key geometry themes including identifying 3D shapes, understanding the difference between lateral and total surface area, and the practical application of algebraic formulas. It systematically breaks down complex formulas into manageable parts—calculating the area of specific faces or components (like the base versus the lateral faces) before summing them up for the final answer. The content emphasizes procedural fluency and the correct use of units (squared units for area). For teachers, this video serves as an excellent instructional aid or review tool for middle school geometry units. It can be paused after each shape is introduced to allow students to attempt the calculation before seeing the solution, or used as a reference guide for students working independently. The clear visual labeling of dimensions helps students map abstract variables in formulas to specific parts of a geometric figure, addressing a common hurdle in learning measurement geometry.