16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryVery hardTotal surface area of a closed cylinder

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

A closed right circular cylinder has a radius of 3 and a height of 7. What is its total surface area?

  1. A. 60πCorrect
  2. B. 42π
  3. C. 63π
  4. D. 51π

Answer: A. 60π

Two circular ends: 2 × π(3²) = 18π. Curved side: circumference × height = 2π(3)(7) = 42π. Total: 18π + 42π = 60π.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 42π
42π is the curved side alone; a CLOSED cylinder also has two circular ends, 9π each.
C. 63π
63π is π(3²)(7), the VOLUME, not the surface area.
D. 51π
51π counts only one of the two circular ends (9π + 42π). Both ends are there.

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