Definition of Area and Surface Area
The area is the criterion of the size of a two-dimensional shape, such as a square, rectangle, circle, or triangle. It is measured in square units, such as square meters or square feet.
Surface area is the measure of the total area. It is a three-dimensional object occupies. It is the sum of the areas of all the faces or surfaces of the object. Surface area is also measured in square units, such as square meters or square feet. Examples of surface area are cubes, cylinders, spheres, and cones.
What is the Difference Between Area And Surface Area?
Here are the given below the differences between area and surface area:
| Area | Surface Area | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The measure of the size of a 2D shape | The measure of the total area that the surface of a 3D object occupies |
| Examples | The area of a square, circle, or triangle | The surface area of a cube, cylinder, sphere, or cone |
| Dimension | 2D | 3D |
| Units of Measurement | Square units (e.g., square meters, square feet) | Square units (e.g., square meters, square feet) |
| Calculation | Length x Width for rectangles, πr² for circles, ½bh for triangles, etc. | Sum of the areas of all the faces or surfaces of the object |
| Uses | Used to measure the size of flat, 2D objects or regions | Used to measure the amount of material needed to cover or coat the surface of 3D objects, or to calculate the amount of paint or other materials needed to cover a surface |
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
1. What is the difference between area and surface area?
- Area is the measure of the size of a 2D region or shape, while surface area is the measure of the total area that the surface of a 3D object occupies.
- Area is calculated by multiplying the length and width of a shape, while surface area is calculated by adding the areas of all the faces of a 3D object.
2. What are some common units used to measure area and surface area?
- Area is measured in square units, such as square meters or square feet.
- Surface area is also typically measured in square units, such as square meters or square feet.
3. What are some examples of area?
Squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, and parallelograms are some common examples of area.
4. What are some examples of 3D objects that have surface area?
Cubes, cylinders, spheres, cones, and prisms are some common examples of surface area.
5. How do I calculate the area of a shape?
The formula for calculating area depends on the shape. For example, the area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying its length and width, while the area of a circle is calculated by multiplying π (pi) by the square of its radius.
6. How do I calculate the surface area of a 3D object?
The formula for calculating surface area depends on the object. For example, the surface area of a cube is calculated by adding the areas of its six faces (which are all squares), while the surface area of a cylinder is calculated by adding the area of its top and bottom circles, plus the area of its curved side.