ISEE Upper Level Math : How to find the surface area of a sphere

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

In terms of , give the surface area, in square feet, of a spherical tank with diameter 36 inches.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

36 inches =  feet, the diameter of the tank. Half of this, or  feet, is the radius. Set , substitute in the surface area formula, and solve for :

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Give the surface area of a sphere with diameter .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A sphere with diameter  has radius half that, or , so substitute  into the formula for the surface area of a sphere:

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

A spherical buoy has a radius of 5 meters. What is the surface area of the buoy?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A spherical buoy has a radius of 5 meters. What is the surface area of the buoy?

To find the surface area of a sphere, use the following:

Plug in our radius and solve!

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

You have a wooden ball which you are going to paint. If the radius is 12 inches, what is the surface area of the ball?

Possible Answers:

Not enough information provided

Correct answer:

Explanation:

You have a wooden ball which you are going to paint. If the radius is 12 inches, what is the surface area of the ball?

First, recall the formula for surface area of a sphere:

Now, just plug in our known radius and simplify:

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Find the surface area of a sphere with a diameter of 10in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a sphere, we will use the following formula:

where r is the radius of the sphere.

 

Now, we know the diameter of the sphere is 10cm.  We also know the diameter is two times the radius.  Therefore, the radius is 5cm.

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #6 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Find the surface area of a sphere with a radius of 10in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a sphere, we will use the following formula:

where r is the radius of the sphere.

 

Now, we know the radius of the sphere is 10in.

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #7 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Find the surface area of a sphere with a diameter of 18in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a sphere, we will use the following formula:

where r is the radius of the sphere.

 

Now, we know the diameter of the sphere is 18in.  We also know the diameter is two times the radius.  Therefore, the radius is 9in. 

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #8 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Find the surface area of a sphere with a radius of 6in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a sphere, we will use the following formula:

where r is the radius of the sphere.

 

Now, we know the radius of the sphere is 6in.  Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #9 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Find the surface area of a sphere with a radius of 12in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a sphere, we will use the following formula:

where r is the radius of the sphere.

 

Now, we know the radius of the sphere is 12in.

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #10 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Sphere

Find the surface area of a sphere with a diameter of 20in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a sphere, we will use the following formula:

where r is the radius of the sphere.

 

Now, we know the diameter of the sphere is 20in.  We also know the diameter is two times the radius.  Therefore, the radius is 10in. 

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

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