Answer:
32 in²
Explanation:
For this rectangular prism, we will assume the "base" is the face at the bottom. Its dimensions are 'a' and 'b', which is to say it is 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep. The perimeter of the base is the sum of its side lengths, so is ...
P = 5 in + 3 in + 5 in + 3 in = 2(5 in +3 in) = 2(8 in) = 16 in.
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The height of the prism is 'c', which is given as 2 inches.
The lateral area is the product of the base perimeter and the height, as the problem statement tells you.
LA = Ph
LA = (16 in)(2 in) = 32 in²
The lateral area is 32 square inches.