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From: render@m.cs.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Surface Area
Message-ID: <39400016@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Date: 1 May 89 01:59:00 GMT
References: <7978@thorin.cs.unc.edu>
Lines: 16
Nf-ID: #R:thorin.cs.unc.edu:7978:m.cs.uiuc.edu:39400016:000:719
Nf-From: m.cs.uiuc.edu!render    Apr 30 20:59:00 1989


Written  1:16 am  Apr 30, 1989 by shan@unc.cs.unc.edu:
> Can anyone give or point me to a precise definition of "Surface
> Area?"  Is there a system that allows me to compute the value of the
> surface area?

Seriously?  A surface is the outside of an object or body; its area is the 
amount of surface measured in two-dimensions.  Take a look at any decent 
integral calculus book for basic formulas for calculating surface area.  If 
you want a more detailed examination, look at a mathematical topology book.
If you want an automated aid for calculating surface area, try some symbolic 
computation program like mathematica.  (Aren't CS students required to take 
calculus anymore?)  

Hal Render
render@cs.uiuc.edu