# GRE Math : How to find the surface area of a prism

## Example Questions

### Example Question #1 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Prism

If the dimensions of a rectangular crate are , which of the following CANNOT be the total surface area of two sides of the crate?

Explanation:

Side 1: surface area of the 6 x 7 side is 42

Side 2: surface area of the 7 x 8 side is 56

Side 3: surface area of the 6 x 8 side is 48.

We can add sides 1 and 3 to get 90, so that's not the answer.

We can add sides 1 and 1 to get 84, so that's not the answer.

We can add sides 2 and 3 to get 104, so that's not the answer.

We can add sides 2 and 2 to get 112, so that's not the answer.

This leaves the answer of 92. Any combination of the three sides of the rectangular prism will not give us 92 as the total surface area.

### Example Question #1511 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

Kate wants to paint a cylinder prism.

What is the surface area of her prism if it is  inches tall and has a diameter of  inches? Round to the nearest whole number.

Explanation:

First, find the area of the base of the cyclinder:

and multiply that by two, since there are two sides with this measurement:

Then, you find the width of the rectangular portion (label portion) of the prism by finding the circumference of the cylinder:

. This is then multiplied by the height of the cylinder to find the area of the rectanuglar portion of the cylinder: .

Finally, add all sides together and round: .

### Example Question #2 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Prism

This triangular prism has a height of  feet and a length of  feet.

What is the surface area of the prism? Round to the nearest tenth.

Explanation:

Find the area of the triangular sides first:

Since there are two sides of this area, we multiply the area by 2:

Next find the area of the rectangular regions. Two of them have the width of 3 feet and a length of 7 feet, while the last one has a width measurement of  feet and a length of 7 feet. Multiply and add all other sides:

.

Lastly, add the triangular sides to the rectangular sides and round:

.