Whether you are estimating on the spot or checking a result somebody else gave you, the torus surface area calculator is the quickest way to get from inner radius a and outer radius b to radius of revolution r, tube radius r and surface area.
What Is the Torus Surface Area Calculator?
The torus surface area calculator works through inner radius a and outer radius b to give you radius of revolution r, tube radius r and surface area.
It is aimed at the case where you know the method but not the arithmetic: schoolwork, a quick check on a worked example, or a figure that needs to be right first time.
How the Torus Surface Area Works
Each step is applied in order and depends only on the values before it, which makes it possible to follow the calculation rather than take it on trust.
If you are working through the same problem by hand afterwards, compare the intermediate values. That is where a mistake usually shows itself.
Checking Your Own Working
Round sensibly as you go and keep the full precision in the calculator. Rounding too early is the most common way of getting a right method to give a wrong answer.
Where a result should be a whole number, such as a count, check it against the constraint that produced it. A fraction of a person is a sign that something upstream needs revisiting.
A Worked Example
Working through an example, with inner radius a set to 10, outer radius b set to 5, the calculator returns surface area of -740.22033, and tube radius r of -2.5, and radius of revolution r of 7.5. Substitute your own figures and the same steps produce the same kind of answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to work out radius of revolution r?
Enter inner radius a and outer radius b. The calculator then works through the relationship and reports radius of revolution r, tube radius r and surface area.
What does the torus surface area actually calculate?
It takes inner radius a and outer radius b and converts them into radius of revolution r, tube radius r and surface area using the standard relationship for this problem. Each step is applied in turn, so every output is traceable back to the numbers you typed in.
How should I enter inner radius a?
Use the value you actually have, in the unit shown next to the field. Enter every value in the same unit system. The calculator assumes the figures you supply are consistent, so it cannot correct a mistake that happens before the calculation starts.
Why does a small change in one value move the answer so much?
That happens when an output depends on a ratio, because dividing by a small number magnifies any change in it. Check the units first, then check whether the value you entered is in the range the relationship was designed for.
Can I use this for a quick estimate as well as a precise answer?
Yes. The calculator is built for quick checks, so round your inputs to a sensible number of significant figures and the result will be just as useful. If you need more precision, keep the same method and add digits to the inputs rather than adjusting the method itself.