To calculate the surface area of a triangular prism, we typically need to account for the areas of the two triangular bases and the three rectangular sides.
The correct approach is as follows:
- The prism has two triangular bases.
- The prism has three rectangular lateral faces.
To calculate the surface area, you would:
- Find the area of one triangular base and multiply it by 2 (since there are two identical triangles).
- Find the area of each of the three rectangular faces and add those areas together.
So, the most appropriate method from your options is:
Decompose the triangular prism into two triangles and three rectangles. Find the sum of the areas of both triangles and the three rectangles.
However, this specific option does not appear exactly as stated in your list. If you were to choose from the responses you provided, the first option would be closest, but it's important to clarify the method.
None of the exact right wording is given; however, if we modify one of your options correctly, it would be:
Decompose the triangular prism into two triangles and three rectangles, then add the areas of the two triangular bases with the areas of the three rectangular sides.
If that isn't an option, you may want to select one of the options that fit the general structure of finding the areas of the shapes as described, even if it doesn’t use precise wording.