Use the image to answer the question.

An illustration shows a 3 D triangular prism with the triangular face as a right triangle. The edges that are not visible are represented by dashed lines. The length and base of the triangular prism measures 30.5 centimeters and 27.9 centimeters. The perpendicular side of the triangular face measures 5.1 centimeter and the hypotenuse measures 28.4 centimeter.

A toy came in a container that is shaped like a triangular prism. How much wrapping paper is needed to wrap the toy? Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

(1 point)
S.A.=
cm2

1 answer

To find the surface area (S.A.) of a triangular prism, we can use the formula:

\[ \text{S.A.} = \text{Base Area} + \text{Lateral Area} \]

Step 1: Calculate the area of the triangular base

The triangular base is a right triangle with base \( b \) and height \( h \). The area \( A \) of a right triangle can be calculated using the formula:

\[ A = \frac{1}{2} \times b \times h \]

In this case, the base \( b = 27.9 \) cm and the height \( h = 5.1 \) cm.

Substituting the values:

\[ A = \frac{1}{2} \times 27.9 \times 5.1 = \frac{1}{2} \times 142.29 = 71.145 , \text{cm}^2 \]

Step 2: Calculate the lateral area

The lateral area of a triangular prism is given by the formula:

\[ \text{Lateral Area} = \text{Perimeter of the base} \times \text{Length} \]

Calculate the perimeter of the triangular base:

The perimeter \( P \) of a right triangle is the sum of all its sides:

\[ P = b + h + \text{hypotenuse} \]

Where

  • \( b = 27.9 \) cm
  • \( h = 5.1 \) cm
  • The hypotenuse \( c = 28.4 \) cm

Calculating the perimeter:

\[ P = 27.9 + 5.1 + 28.4 = 61.4 , \text{cm} \]

Calculate the length of the prism:

The length \( L = 30.5 , \text{cm} \).

Now calculate the lateral area:

\[ \text{Lateral Area} = P \times L \] \[ \text{Lateral Area} = 61.4 \times 30.5 = 1873.7 , \text{cm}^2 \]

Step 3: Calculate the total surface area

Now we can add the base area and the lateral area:

\[ \text{S.A.} = \text{Base Area} + \text{Lateral Area} \] \[ \text{S.A.} = 71.145 + 1873.7 = 1944.845 , \text{cm}^2 \]

Step 4: Round to the nearest whole number

\[ \text{S.A.} \approx 1945 , \text{cm}^2 \]

So, the total amount of wrapping paper needed to wrap the toy is:

\[ \boxed{1945} , \text{cm}^2 \]