How to Calculate the Surface Area of a Cube

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This educational video provides a step-by-step tutorial on calculating the surface area of a cube. It begins by conceptually breaking down the 3D shape into its component 2D faces, deriving the general formula based on the properties of a square. The narrator explains that since a cube has six identical square faces, the total surface area is six times the area of a single face ($6x^2$). The video covers key themes in geometry including identifying 2D shapes within 3D objects, deriving algebraic formulas from geometric properties, and performing substitution to solve for specific values. It clearly distinguishes between the length of a side and the calculated area of a face, using color-coding to help viewers visualize the specific parts of the cube being discussed. For educators, this video serves as an excellent bridge between 2D area concepts and 3D surface area measurement. It is particularly useful for moving students away from rote memorization of formulas toward conceptual understanding. The clear, handwritten demonstration makes it easy for students to follow along, take notes, and apply the logic to their own geometry problems involving surface area.