What is the surface area of the net of a triangular prism

1 answer

The surface area of the net of a triangular prism is the combined area of all six faces. The net of a triangular prism consists of two triangular faces and three rectangular faces.

To calculate the surface area of the net, you need to find the area of each individual face and then add them together.

The formula to calculate the surface area of a triangular prism is:
Surface area = 2(base area of the triangle) + (perimeter of the triangle) x (height of the prism)

Alternatively, you can also calculate the surface area by finding the areas of the triangle and rectangles separately and then adding them together.

For example, let's consider a triangular prism with a triangular base of sides 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm and a height of 8 cm.

1. Area of the two triangular faces:
Area = 1/2 * base * height
Area = 1/2 * 5 cm * 8 cm
Area = 20 cm²

2. Area of the three rectangular faces:
Area = length * width
Rectangular face 1: Area = 4 cm * 8 cm = 32 cm²
Rectangular face 2: Area = 5 cm * 8 cm = 40 cm²
Rectangular face 3: Area = 6 cm * 8 cm = 48 cm²

3. Total surface area of the net of the triangular prism:
Surface area = 2 * 20 cm² + 32 cm² + 40 cm² + 48 cm²
Surface area = 40 cm² + 32 cm² + 40 cm² + 48 cm²
Surface area = 160 cm²

Therefore, the surface area of the net of the triangular prism is 160 cm².