How to find the surface area of a sphere?

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SUMMARY

The surface area of a sphere is calculated using the formula 4πr². While some participants suggested using calculus, specifically differentiating the volume formula of a sphere, others preferred geometric or algebraic methods. One effective approach involves inscribing triangles within a circle to derive the area of the circle, ultimately leading to the surface area of the sphere. Archimedes' method, which approximates the area of a circle through limits, was also referenced as a historical technique for understanding these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic geometric principles, specifically the properties of circles and triangles.
  • Familiarity with the formula for the volume of a sphere, V = (4/3)πr³.
  • Knowledge of limits and their application in calculus, particularly in relation to area calculations.
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions and formulas.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Archimedes' method for calculating areas and volumes.
  • Explore geometric proofs for the area of a circle and sphere.
  • Learn about the relationship between calculus and geometry in surface area calculations.
  • Investigate the application of limits in deriving formulas for curved surfaces.
USEFUL FOR

Students of mathematics, educators teaching geometry and calculus, and anyone interested in the historical methods of calculating surface areas and volumes.

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4 Pi r2

I know this formula, but anyone knows, how can I figure out (by methods, algebra) the sphere surface formula ?

Thanks
 
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You might, for example, differentiate the formula for the volume of a ball with respect to the radius.

There are many other ways as well.
 
arildno said:
You might, for example, differentiate the formula for the volume of a ball with respect to the radius.

Sorry, I did not say, but I would like not to use calculus for this, just geometry or algebra for demonstration.

For exemple:
the triangle area is:
A_{t} = \frac{b h} { 2 }
if I put a triangle inside a circle, where the top of it is the centre of circle, and I use infinity number of triangles, and with base near to zero, the sum of all bases is igual 2 r \pi and the height will be iqual the radius of circle, then, the area of circle will be the sum of area for all triangles, i.e.,

A_{c} = \frac{2 r \pi r } { 2 } = \pi r^2

Thank you very much.
 
Last edited:
Well, you might have a go at Archimedes' way of proving it, here's a link to a page describing that method:
http://www.maths.uwa.edu.au/~schultz/3M3/L7Archimedes1.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Archimedes (although he didn't know it) invented integral calculus to get things like the calculation of pi by taking the limit of areas of regular polygons to get the area of a circle.
 
In general there is no way to determine the area under a curve or of a curved surface without using some kind of limit process, which is at least walking on the boundary of calculus.
 

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