but I am having a hard time keeping them separate.
2007-10-07 06:18:02 · 2 answers · asked by Jen 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Area can only be found for something that is two-dimensional. Surface area is the term for the 'area' of a three-dimensional object. Surface area is basically the two-dimensional area that could be covered if the surface of a three-dimensional object could be flattened into two dimensions.
You don't need one to find the other. In fact you can only find one OR the other. 3d shapes have surface area. 2d shapes have area. You can't have both at once.
2007-10-07 06:31:18 · answer #1 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no real difference. You will just use different formulas. Surface area is an area, period. It is just a special case in that it is the sum of the areas of the faces of a solid with plane sides or it is the area of the outside surface of something curved.
2007-10-07 13:26:56 · answer #2 · answered by Tom K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋