Answer:
276ft^2
Explanation:
A triangular prism is made up of multiple faces, just like any three-dimensional shape. Let's do the calculations for this shape together.
Top two faces: 5ft × 14ft × 2 = 140ft^2 (we multiply by two b/c there are two rectangles, so we save a step)
Front and back face: 8ft × 3ft = 24ft^2 (we do not divide by two b/c there are two triangles, so we save a step)
Bottom face*: 8ft × 14ft = 112ft^2
*Note: Don't solve for this face when calculating latent surface area, or when calculating the SA of a compound shape.
Now, we just add up the areas of all the shapes.
140 + 112 + 24 = 276
Final answer: 276ft^2