Question

I rectangular prism with a square base has a high of 7 inches the base of the prism can be completely covered with no overlap by 16 squares that each have a edge length of 1 inch what is the total surface area of the rectangular prism

Answer 1

144 square inches

Explanation:

Total surface area of the rectangular prism = Sum of all the area of its sides

Since it has a square base which can be covered by 16 squares of length 1 inch each, then;

length of its base = 4 inches

So that,

i. Area of its base =
`length^(2)`

=
`4^(2)`

area of its base = 16 square inches

ii. Area of one of the surfaces of its sides = length x width (or base x height)

= 4 x 7

= 28 square inches

Sum of the area of its vertical sides = 4 x 28

= 112 square inches

Thus,

Total surface area of the prism = 16 + 16 + 112

= 144 square inches