Formulas are super important when we want to find the surface area of mixed shapes, which are also called composite figures! Let’s make it easier to understand:

1. What Are Composite Figures?
   Composite figures are shapes that are made up of two or more simple shapes.
   Some examples of simple shapes are rectangles, cylinders, and spheres.
   Each of these shapes has its own formula to find surface area!

2. How to Use the Formulas:
   To find the total surface area, you should:

   • Identify each simple shape in the composite figure.
   • Use the right formula for each shape:
     • For a rectangle:
       Surface Area = (2lw + 2lh + 2wh).
     • For a cylinder:
       Surface Area = (2\pi r^2 + 2\pi rh).
     • For a sphere:
       Surface Area = (4\pi r^2).

3. Adding It All Together:
   After you find the surface area for each shape, just add them up to get the total surface area!
   Total Surface Area = SA₁ + SA₂ + SA₃ + ...

Isn't it cool how these formulas help us understand composite figures better?
Have fun exploring and remember, math is all around us!