The equation to find the surface area of a pyramid is:
- SA is the surface area
- P is the perimeter of the base
- H is the slant height
- B is the area of the base
You have been given the length of the slant height (H=9 inch) and the length of one side of the base (6 inch)
First, let's find the area of the base. The base of a pyramid will always be a square and the area of a square is simply s², or side length².
6² = 36, so B=36
To find the perimeter of any shape, add all the side lengths together. Because the base is a square, all the sides have the same length.
6+6+6+6 = 24, so P= 24
Now, plug in the information you found and the information you were given into the Surface Area equation:
Solve:
24 × 9= 216
216 ÷ 2 = 108
108 + 36 = 144
The surface are of the pyramid is 144 in²