Final answer:
To calculate the total surface area of a closed rectangular box, you would use the formula SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh. Add up the area from all six sides—three pairs of identical rectangles. Units should be consistent to ensure the measurement is correct. However, the example given does not provide the exact dimensions needed for the calculation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves a student asking how to calculate the surface area of a closed rectangular box. To solve for the surface area of a rectangular box, you need to add up the areas of all six sides. The formula for finding the area of each rectangle is length × width. Since a box has three pairs of identical sides, you can simply calculate the area for three different sides and then multiply each by two.
To be thorough, let's say the dimensions of the box are length (l), width (w), and height (h). The surface area (SA) would be calculated as SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh. So you calculate the area of each side and then sum them all up. However, for the measurements provided in the example, this detailed explanation is just for understanding purposes as the length, width, and height of the box are not specified in the student's question.
Remember, the unit of measurement must be consistent. If you are using inches for each dimension, the surface area will be in square inches. Also, it's important to differentiate between surface area, which is measured in square units (e.g., square inches), and volume, which is measured in cubic units (e.g., cubic inches).