To calculate the surface area of the aquarium, we can use the formula for the surface area of a rectangular prism:
\[ \text{Surface Area} = 2(lw + lh + wh) \]
where:
- \( l \) = length
- \( w \) = width
- \( h \) = height
Given the dimensions:
- \( l = 17 \) inches
- \( w = 9 \) inches
- \( h = 11 \) inches
Now substitute the values into the formula:
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Calculate \( lw \): \[ lw = 17 \times 9 = 153 \text{ square inches} \]
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Calculate \( lh \): \[ lh = 17 \times 11 = 187 \text{ square inches} \]
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Calculate \( wh \): \[ wh = 9 \times 11 = 99 \text{ square inches} \]
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Now substitute these values into the surface area formula: \[ \text{Surface Area} = 2(153 + 187 + 99) \]
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First, sum inside the parentheses: \[ 153 + 187 + 99 = 439 \]
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Multiply by 2: \[ \text{Surface Area} = 2 \times 439 = 878 \text{ square inches} \]
Thus, Tommy and Cole need to buy 878 square inches of glass to enclose the aquarium.