Final answer:
The amount of paper needed to cover a cone, including the circular top, is the sum of the base area, calculated using A = πr², and the lateral surface area, calculated with L = πrl. The base area is approximately 4.5 m² when rounded according to significant figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the amount of paper needed to cover the surface area of the cone including the circular top, you need to find the lateral surface area of the cone and add it to the area of the base. The area of the base (circular top) can be calculated using the formula A = πr². Given a radius (r) of 1.2 meters, the area of the base is approximately 4.5 m² due to significant figures.
For the lateral surface area (also known as the slant area), you need to know the slant height (l) of the cone. The slant height is not provided in the question, so we'll assume it's known. The lateral surface area is found using the formula L = πrl. You would then add this to the base area to find the total surface area.