surface area

"Surface area" is a key concept in geometry and computing, describing the extent of an object's outer layer.

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Definition

B2Geometry

(technical, academic)The total area covering the exterior of a three-dimensional object.

Example

  • To paint the box, we need to calculate its surface area.
  • The surface area of a sphere is calculated using the formula 4Ï€r².

C1Computing

(technical, cybersecurity)The total resources of a system that can be accessed from the outside, making them potential targets for attacks.

Example

  • Reducing the surface area of the network can help minimize security risks.
  • Developers work to minimize the surface area exposed to potential threats.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "surface area":

lateral areawetted areasquare footagearea sneaksurface tension