Question

which description can represent the surface area of this shoebox? the number of square inches that cover all the outside faces of the shoebox. the number of inches tall the shoebox is. the number of cubic inches that can be packed inside the shoebox. the number of square inches of horizontal surface inside the shoebox.

Explanation:

To determine the correct description of the shoebox's surface area, we analyze each option:

• The first option: Surface area is the total area (in square units) covering all outer faces of a 3D object. A shoebox is a rectangular prism, and its surface area is the sum of the areas of all its outside faces, measured in square inches here.
• The second option: This describes the height (a linear measurement, in inches), not surface area.
• The third option: This describes volume (cubic inches), which is the space inside the box, not the area of its surfaces.
• The fourth option: This describes the area of a single horizontal surface (like the base or top inside), not the total surface area of all outer faces.

So the first option correctly defines the surface area.

Answer:

The number of square inches that cover all the outside faces of the shoebox.