Question

The expression below can be used to find the surface area of a cube when given the length of an edge, a.

6a2

What is the surface area of a cube with an edge length that measures 0.5 centimeters?

Answer 1

1.5 cm²

Explanation:

Substitute a = 0.5 cm to the formula SA = 6a² :

SA = 6(0.5)² = 6(0.5 · 0.5) = 6(0.25) = 1.5 cm²

Answer 2

a = edge length = 0.5 cm

S = surface area of cube

S = 6*a^2

S = 6*(0.5)^2

S = 6*0.25

S = 1.5

The surface area of the cube is 1.5 square cm

You can use cm^2 in place of "square cm" to mean the same thing.