find the radius of a cone given the surface area and slant height. round to the nearest tenth surface area=359ft^2 , slant height =15 ft
Every site I go to get help on tells me to use the formula for lateral surface area. (pi*radius*slant height)
Why not Base + (pi*radius*slant height) ??? Isn't that how you find total surface area?

Question

find the radius of a cone given the surface area and slant height. round to the nearest tenth surface area=359ft^2 , slant height =15 ft
Every site I go to get help on tells me to use the formula for lateral surface area. (pi*radius*slant height)
Why not Base + (pi*radius*slant height) ??? Isn't that how you find total surface area?

anonymous · Answer

First make sure you change your user name .  It is very bad. :(

Well, in case if the question states just surface area, it implies total surface area.  If the question specifically states Lateral/Curved surface area, then you must consider lateral surface area .:)

anonymous · Answer

but the way it's solved implies that lateral surface area is used because the formula for it is pi*radius*slant height

The formula for total surface area is base+ pi*radius*slant height

anonymous · Answer

to solve you would do pi*x*15 = 359
47.1x = 359
x = 7.6

anonymous · Answer

Well, truly this is vague.  If you have the final answer, then judge by yourself, what they are looking for :)