Explanation
In geometry, a sphere is defined as the set of points that are all the same distance (r) from a given point in a three-dimensional space. The formula for calculating the surface area of a sphere is:
The Greek letter π ("pi") represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. In Excel, π is represented in a formula with the PI function, which returns the number 3.14159265358979, accurate to 15 digits:
=PI() // returns 3.14159265358979
To square a number in Excel, you can use the exponentiation operator (^):
=A1^2
Or, you can use the POWER function:
=POWER(A1,2)
Rewriting the formula using Excel's math operators we get:
=4*PI()*B5^2
Or, with the POWER function:
=4*PI()*POWER(B5,2)
For example, with a radius of 5 hardcoded into the formulas we have:
=4*PI()*5^2 // returns 314.16
=4*PI()*POWER(5,2) // returns 314.16
and both formulas return the same result. Following Excel's order of operations, exponentiation will occur before multiplication.
Related formulas
Area of a circle
Area of a triangle
Circumference of a circle
Volume of a sphere
Related functions
PI Function
The Excel PI function returns the value of the geometric constant π (pi). The value represents a half-rotation in the radian angle system. The constant appears in many formulas relating the circle, such as the area of a circle....
POWER Function
The Excel POWER function returns a number raised to a given power. The POWER function is an alternative to the exponent operator (^).
