16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryVery hardLateral surface area of a cylinder

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

A cylindrical label wraps exactly once around the side of a can with radius 4 cm and height 10 cm, with no overlap. What is the area of the label, in square centimetres?

  1. A. 80πCorrect
  2. B. 160π
  3. C. 40π
  4. D. 112π

Answer: A. 80π

The label is a rectangle: circumference × height = 2π(4)(10) = 80π.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 160π
160π is πr²h, the volume's formula; the label is the curved side, 2πrh.
C. 40π
40π uses πr × h, forgetting the 2.
D. 112π
112π adds the two circular ends (2 × 16π); a label covers only the side.

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