How To Calculate Volume and Surface Area of Hexagonal Prisms

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This educational video provides a comprehensive tutorial on calculating the geometric properties of a hexagonal prism. The instructor guides viewers through two distinct examples: one where all necessary dimensions (including the apothem) are provided, and a more complex scenario where students must derive the apothem using properties of special right triangles. The video covers three main calculations: Volume ($V$), Lateral Area ($LA$), and Total Surface Area ($SA$), emphasizing the foundational formulas $V = Bh$, $LA = ph$, and $SA = 2B + LA$. Key themes include 3D geometry, area and perimeter of regular polygons, and the application of 30-60-90 triangle rules. The video explicitly demonstrates how to decompose a regular hexagon into six equilateral triangles to find the central angle and apothem. It also reinforces algebraic manipulation with radicals, as answers are kept in exact form involving square roots rather than decimal approximations until the very end. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for high school geometry units on solids. It bridges the gap between 2D polygon properties and 3D measurements. The step-by-step problem-solving approach models clear mathematical thinking, making it ideal for direct instruction, remediation for struggling students, or as a reference for homework support. The inclusion of a problem requiring trigonometric derivation adds depth suitable for advanced learners.