How to Find the Surface Area of Cylinders

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This instructional video guides students through the process of calculating the surface area of cylinders by connecting the concept to their prior knowledge of prisms. The lesson begins by reviewing the general surface area formula for prisms ($S = 2B + PH$) and demonstrates through a visual animation of a cylinder unfolding into a net that this same conceptual framework applies to cylinders. The video clearly illustrates how the lateral surface of a cylinder unrolls into a rectangle, where the length corresponds to the circumference of the circular base. The content covers key geometric concepts including the area of a circle ($\pi r^2$), the circumference of a circle ($2\pi r$), and how these components combine to form the total surface area. Detailed graphics help students visualize the relationship between 3D shapes and their 2D nets, making abstract formulas more concrete. The video encourages students to derive understanding rather than just memorizing a specific formula for cylinders. This resource is highly valuable for middle and high school geometry classrooms. It emphasizes precision in calculation by advising students to enter the entire expression into a calculator at once to avoid rounding errors. The step-by-step example problem provides a clear model for students to follow, making it an excellent tool for introducing the topic or for remediation for students struggling with geometric formulas.