Calculate the surface area of the square pyramid that has a base length of 12 and a slant height of 18

Pls explain simply bc I'm in 6th grade

3 answers

To calculate the surface area of a square pyramid, you need to find the area of the base and the area of the four triangular faces.

1. Start by finding the area of the base, which is a square. Since the base length is 12, you can find the area by multiplying 12 by 12:
Base Area = 12 x 12 = 144

2. Next, find the area of one of the triangular faces. To do this, you can use the formula for the area of a triangle, which is 1/2 x base x height. The base of the triangle is the same as the base of the square, which is 12. The height of the triangle is the slant height, which is given as 18. So, the area of one triangular face is:
Triangle Area = 1/2 x 12 x 18 = 108

3. Since the square pyramid has four triangular faces, the total area of all four triangular faces is:
Total Triangle Area = 4 x 108 = 432

4. The total surface area of the square pyramid is the sum of the base area and the total triangle area:
Surface Area = Base Area + Total Triangle Area
Surface Area = 144 + 432 = 576

Therefore, the surface area of the square pyramid with a base length of 12 and a slant height of 18 is 576 square units.
Can you shorten it up and make it a little easier pls?
I just need help bc I have to submit this
Sure, here's a simpler explanation:

1. Find the area of the base (a square with side length 12):
Base Area = 12 x 12 = 144

2. Find the area of one triangular face using the formula 1/2 x base x height (base = 12, height = 18):
Triangle Area = 1/2 x 12 x 18 = 108

3. Since the pyramid has 4 triangular faces, total triangular area = 4 x 108 = 432

4. Add the base area and total triangular area to find the surface area of the pyramid:
Surface Area = Base Area + Total Triangle Area
Surface Area = 144 + 432 = 576

Therefore, the surface area of the square pyramid is 576 square units.