1. The surface area of a 3-D shape is the total of all the exposed areas of the shape. The net of the 3-D shape is a good way to see all the areas that make up the shape. Watch the following video on the introduction of nets:

2. where A1, A2, A3, etc is the area of each exposed face.
In general, surface area: A total = A1 + A2 + A3 + …
where A1, A2, A3, etc is the area of each exposed face.
For PRISMS: Atotal = mAbase + nArectangle where m is the number of base faces
and n is the number of lateral faces

3. Part E – Surface Area of Prisms and Cylinders
Example: Calculate the surface area of a hexagon-based prism with side length of 2 cm, height of 18 cm and apothem 4 cm.
Equation:
Substitute:
Atotal = 2Ahexagon + 6Arectangle
A = 2 (24) + 6 (36)
A = 120
To find Ahexagon:
A = Pa 2
A = nLa
A = (6)(2)(4)
A = 24
To find Arectangle:
A = (base)(height)
A = (2)(18)
A = 36
h=18
 The surface area of the hexagon-based prism is 120 cm2
L=2
a=4