To find the surface area of the aquarium, we can use the formula for the surface area of a rectangular prism (which is the shape of the aquarium). The formula for the surface area \( S \) of a rectangular prism is:
\[ S = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh \]
where:
- \( l \) is the length,
- \( w \) is the width,
- \( h \) is the height.
Given:
- \( l = 17 \) inches,
- \( w = 9 \) inches,
- \( h = 11 \) inches.
We can now substitute these values into the formula:
\[ S = 2(17)(9) + 2(17)(11) + 2(9)(11) \]
Calculating each term:
- \( 2(17)(9) = 2 \times 153 = 306 \)
- \( 2(17)(11) = 2 \times 187 = 374 \)
- \( 2(9)(11) = 2 \times 99 = 198 \)
Now, sum these areas together:
\[ S = 306 + 374 + 198 = 878 \]
Thus, the total surface area of the aquarium is:
\[ \text{Surface area} = 878 \text{ square inches} \]
So, Tommy and Cole need to buy 878 square inches of glass to enclose the aquarium.