To determine which book will require less wrapping paper, we need to calculate the surface area of each book.
The formula for the surface area \( S \) of a rectangular box is:
\[ S = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh \]
where \( l \) is the length, \( w \) is the width, and \( h \) is the height.
For Book A:
- Length \( l_A = 6.5 \) inches
- Width \( w_A = 1 \) inch
- Height \( h_A = 8.5 \) inches
Calculating the surface area:
\[ S_A = 2(6.5)(1) + 2(6.5)(8.5) + 2(1)(8.5) \]
Calculating each term:
- \( 2(6.5)(1) = 13 \)
- \( 2(6.5)(8.5) = 110.5 \)
- \( 2(1)(8.5) = 17 \)
Now, summing these values:
\[ S_A = 13 + 110.5 + 17 = 140.5 \text{ in}^2 \]
For Book B:
- Length \( l_B = 5.5 \) inches
- Width \( w_B = 2 \) inches
- Height \( h_B = 8 \) inches
Calculating the surface area:
\[ S_B = 2(5.5)(2) + 2(5.5)(8) + 2(2)(8) \]
Calculating each term:
- \( 2(5.5)(2) = 22 \)
- \( 2(5.5)(8) = 88 \)
- \( 2(2)(8) = 32 \)
Now, summing these values:
\[ S_B = 22 + 88 + 32 = 142 \text{ in}^2 \]
Comparison:
- Surface area of Book A: \( 140.5 \) in²
- Surface area of Book B: \( 142 \) in²
Since \( 140.5 < 142 \), Book A will require less wrapping paper.
Thus, the correct statement is:
Book A will require less wrapping paper because its surface area is 1.5 in² less than the surface area of Book B.