If you have a truncated cone such that its upper base has a radius of a and the radius of its [larger] lower base is b, and a height h (between bases), how could you figure out its surface area using geometric reasoning?
top+bottom=pi*(a^2+b^2)
side surface=h*(b/a)*pi*(a+b)
add up =pi*(a^2+b^2+h*(b/a)*(a+b))
just by looking at it
ady
Edited on January 23, 2004, 12:09 pm