The total surface area \( A \) of a cylinder can be calculated using the formula:
\[ A = 2\pi r h + 2\pi r^2 \]
where:
- \( r \) is the radius of the base of the cylinder,
- \( h \) is the height of the cylinder,
- \( \pi \) is a constant approximately equal to 3.14159.
The formula consists of two parts:
- \( 2\pi r h \): the lateral surface area (the area of the side surface),
- \( 2\pi r^2 \): the area of the two circular bases (top and bottom).