Use the image to answer the question.

An illustration shows a triangular prism. The front triangular face is visible. The left rectangular face is visible. The sides and edges that are not visible are indicated by dashed lines. Parts are labeled with measurements. All sides of the triangle measure 10 centimeters. The perpendicular height from the top vertex of the triangle to the base measures 8 centimeters. The width of the rectangular face measures 6 centimeters.



Solve for the surface area of the triangular prism.

(1 point)
Responses

280 square centimeters
280 square centimeters

260 square centimeters
260 square centimeters

320 square centimeters
320 square centimeters

180 square centimeters
180 square centimeters
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1 answer

To find the surface area of the triangular prism, we need to calculate the areas of the two triangular bases and the three rectangular faces.

  1. Finding the area of the triangular base: The given triangular face has all sides measuring 10 cm, which means it's an equilateral triangle. The area \( A \) of an equilateral triangle can be calculated using the formula:

    \[ A = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} s^2 \]

    where \( s \) is the length of a side. For our triangle:

    \[ A = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} (10)^2 = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \cdot 100 = 25\sqrt{3} \text{ cm}^2 \]

    Since there are two triangular bases, the total area of the triangles is:

    \[ 2A = 2 \cdot 25\sqrt{3} = 50\sqrt{3} \text{ cm}^2 \]

  2. Finding the area of the rectangular faces: The triangular prism has three rectangular faces.

    • The first rectangle corresponding to the triangular face has dimensions equal to the height of the triangle and the width of the prism:

      • Height = 8 cm (height of the triangle),
      • Width = 6 cm (width of the prism).

      Area = \( 8 \times 6 = 48 \text{ cm}^2 \).

    • The second rectangle corresponds to one side of the triangle:

      • Length = 10 cm (side of the triangle),
      • Width = 6 cm.

      Area = \( 10 \times 6 = 60 \text{ cm}^2 \).

    • The third rectangle corresponds to the other side of the triangle:

      • Length = 10 cm (other side of the triangle),
      • Width = 6 cm.

      Area = \( 10 \times 6 = 60 \text{ cm}^2 \).

  3. Calculating the total area of the three rectangular faces: Total rectangular area:

    \[ 48 + 60 + 60 = 168 \text{ cm}^2 \]

  4. Calculating the total surface area of the prism: Add the area of the two triangular bases and the three rectangular sides:

    \[ \text{Total Surface Area} = 50\sqrt{3} + 168 \]

Since \( \sqrt{3} \) is approximately 1.732, we can estimate:

\[ 50\sqrt{3} \approx 50 \times 1.732 \approx 86.6 \]

Thus:

\[ \text{Total Surface Area} \approx 86.6 + 168 \approx 254.6 \text{ cm}^2 \]

Since none of the responses exactly match this, check for common approximations/rounding.

The closest option given would be 260 square centimeters.

Thus, the answer is:

260 square centimeters.