What are the differences between a saut pan and a skillet, and how do these differences affect their performance in cooking various dishes?

A saut pan has straight sides and a larger surface area, making it ideal for cooking dishes that require tossing or stirring, such as stir-fries. A skillet has sloped sides and is better for dishes that need to be flipped, like pancakes or omelettes. The differences in shape affect how heat is distributed and how ingredients are cooked, making each pan better suited for different types of dishes.