To find the surface area of a rectangular prism, you can use the formula:
\[ \text{Surface Area} = 2(lw + lh + wh) \]
where:
- \(l\) is the length,
- \(w\) is the width,
- \(h\) is the height.
Given the dimensions of the rectangular prism:
- \(l = 14\) inches
- \(w = 8\) inches
- \(h = 3\) inches
Now, calculate each term in the formula:
- \(lw = 14 \times 8 = 112\)
- \(lh = 14 \times 3 = 42\)
- \(wh = 8 \times 3 = 24\)
Now add these products together:
\[ lw + lh + wh = 112 + 42 + 24 = 178 \]
Now multiply by 2 to find the surface area:
\[ \text{Surface Area} = 2 \times 178 = 356 \text{ in}^2 \]
Thus, the surface area of the rectangular prism is \( \boxed{356} \text{ in}^2\).