When a three-dimensional object such as a rectangular prism is dilated by a scale factor, the surface area of the object changes by the square of the scale factor.
Given that the original surface area of the rectangular prism is 4 in² and the scale factor of dilation is 3, the new surface area can be calculated as follows:
\[ \text{New Surface Area} = \text{Original Surface Area} \times \text{(Scale Factor)}^2 \]
\[ \text{New Surface Area} = 4 , \text{in}^2 \times (3)^2 \]
\[ \text{New Surface Area} = 4 , \text{in}^2 \times 9 \]
\[ \text{New Surface Area} = 36 , \text{in}^2 \]
Therefore, the surface area of the new dilated rectangular prism is 36 in².