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 12 centimeters and 9 centimeters. The perpendicular side of the triangular face measures 5 centimeters and the hypotenuse measures 13 centimeters.

A wedge of cheese is shaped like a triangular prism. How much plastic wrap is needed to cover the wedge of cheese?

(1 point)
Responses

287 cm2
287 cm squared

330 cm2
330 cm squared

810 cm2
810 cm squared

240 cm2

1 answer

To determine how much plastic wrap is needed to cover the triangular prism (the wedge of cheese), we need to calculate the surface area of the prism.

The surface area \( S \) of a triangular prism can be calculated using the formula:

\[ S = (Base , Area) + (Perimeter , of , Base \times Height) \]

  1. Find the area of the triangular face: The triangular face is a right triangle with a base of 9 cm and a height of 5 cm. The area \( A \) of a triangle is given by:

    \[ A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times 9 \times 5 = \frac{45}{2} = 22.5 , \text{cm}^2 \]

  2. Calculate the base perimeter: The perimeter \( P \) of the triangle can be calculated by adding the lengths of its sides. The edges of the right triangle are 9 cm (base), 5 cm (perpendicular height), and 13 cm (hypotenuse):

    \[ P = 9 + 5 + 13 = 27 , \text{cm} \]

  3. Calculate the lateral area: The height (length of the prism) is 12 cm. The lateral surface area (the area of the three rectangles connecting the triangular bases) can be calculated as:

    \[ Lateral , Area = P \times \text{Height} = 27 \times 12 = 324 , \text{cm}^2 \]

  4. Total surface area: The total surface area is the lateral area plus the areas of the two triangular bases:

    \[ S = 2 \times A + Lateral , Area = 2 \times 22.5 + 324 = 45 + 324 = 369 , \text{cm}^2 \]

Given this calculation, none of the options provided (287 cm², 330 cm², 810 cm², 240 cm²) aligns with our derived total surface area of 369 cm². Could you please double-check the dimensions and the options given?