Surface Area of a Cylinder

Want to know how to figure out the area of a cylinder? Here's how! I prefer to learn hands-on, so I decided to make a cylinder instead of just writing equations.

This may be a great way to teach your children or younger sibling.

Step 1 What is a cylinder?

Before we jump into any math, we should find out what a cylinder is made of.

The answer is two circles and a rectangle.


But like many people, I am a visual learner - so lets actually make one!

First, find a circular object and trace two circles unto some colored paper. Cut them out. Fold them in half, and use a ruler to measer the crease (the diameter of a circle). To help me remember, I wrote the diameter on one of the circles.

Comments

[gitm]

Small problem there. 1 mm = 1/10 cm so 1 sq mm = 1/100 sq cm. This means 69021 sq mm = 690.21 sq cm = 0.069 sq m, which makes sense for a tuna can. You have 6902 sq cm = 0.69 sq m, which would be more like a coffee can or something similar.

[sgsidekick]

Sigh. Maybe someday this will be written up in "regular people English" so that people like me (smart, but no math wiz) will be able to understand...

[grundisimo]

The formula for the dumb people like me that are too lazy to make this is 2(pi)r^{2 + 2(pi)rh}
r=radius
h=height
pi=3.14(159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582) i have the last 53 digits memorized.(IT WAS 2 DAYS WORTH OF WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[grundisimo]

Please disregard that comment the +2(pi)rh isn't supposed to be an exponent

[shooby]

TO clarify, the correct term is "surface area" of a cylinder.

[RazorConcepts]

Yes that is the correct terminology - I chose to use "Area of a Cylinder" as that is what the buring questions contest specifies.

[fwjs28]

but then it is misleading at therefore you should change it to its proper name...great idea though!

[RazorConcepts]

I suppose since the contest ended it would be safe to add Surface to the front of it. Thanks!

[dombeef]

It is the volume

[JeffsenDums]

nice because you will get area of a cylinder..And do u like math??and its very simple....