Question

Apply the technique of using nets. What is the surface area of the rectangular prism whose dimensions measure 7 inches by 3 inches by 11 inches

Answer 1

To find the surface area of a rectangular prism, we need to calculate the area of each of the six faces and then add them together.

First, let's draw a net of the rectangular prism, which is a 2-dimensional representation of the 3-dimensional shape unfolded:

```
___________
| / |
| / |
| / |
|_________|
```

The dimensions of the rectangular prism are:
- Length = 7 inches
- Width = 3 inches
- Height = 11 inches

Now, let's calculate the area of each face:
- Top and bottom faces: Length x Width = 7 x 3 = 21 square inches each
- Front and back faces: Length x Height = 7 x 11 = 77 square inches each
- Side faces: Width x Height = 3 x 11 = 33 square inches each

Now, add the areas of all six faces to find the total surface area:
Total surface area = 2(21) + 2(77) + 2(33)
= 42 + 154 + 66
= 262 square inches

Therefore, the surface area of the rectangular prism with dimensions 7 inches by 3 inches by 11 inches is 262 square inches.