Final answer:
To find the surface area of a pyramid with a square base, calculate the area of the base and the areas of the triangular faces, then add them together.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the surface area of a pyramid, we need to calculate the areas of its individual faces and then add them together. Let's assume the pyramid has a square base, and the side length of the base is 's'.
- Start by finding the area of the base: A = s^2
- Next, calculate the area of each triangular face. Since the base is a square and there are four triangular faces, the area of each face is (s^2)/2
- Add the area of the base and the areas of the four triangular faces to get the total surface area of the pyramid: Surface Area = (s^2) + 4[(s^2)/2]
Remember to use the correct units of measurement when calculating the surface area.