The following are true of the lateral surface area:

• It excludes the area(s) of the base(s) of a cylinder, prism, or pyramid.


• It is the total area of the lateral faces of a prism, or pyramid.


• It is the area of the curved lateral surface of a cylinder.


• It is determined by calculating the sum of the areas of the lateral faces of a prism or pyramid or the area of the curved lateral surface of a cylinder.

The fabric-covered area of the lamp shade represents the lateral surface area of a cylinder with the same base area and height as the lamp shade.



Lateral Surface Area Activity

The total surface area of a prism, pyramid, or cylinder is the sum of its lateral surface area and the area(s) of its base(s).