Question

A refrigerator is shaped like a rectangular prism. The length is 27 inches, the width is 24 inches, and the height is 38 inches.

What is the surface area of the refrigerator?

Answer 1

The formula for finding surface area is as follows:
SA=2(w*l + l*h + h*w)
First, lets start by plugging in the values
SA = 2 (24*27 + 27*38 + 38*24)
Now, because of the order of operations, we start inside the parentheses and multiply the values
In the end, our result is this:
SA = 2 (648 + 1026 + 912)
Now, we can add everything in the parentheses.
SA = 2 (2586)
Finally, distribute the 2 by multiplying the number in the parentheses by 2
SA = 5172

Therefore, the surface area is 5172 inches^2, or 5172 in^2

Answer 2

SA = 2(wl+hl+hw)

Plug in what we know:

SA = 2((24)(27)+(38)(27)+(38)(24))

Multiply:

SA = 2(648 + 1026 + 912)

Add:

SA = 2(2586)

Multiply:

SA = 5172