Question

find the surface area of the rectangular prism. first, find the area of the base and top rectangles. area of the base and top: ? cm²

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the formula for the area of a rectangle

The area of a rectangle is \(A = l\times w\), where \(l\) is the length and \(w\) is the width.

Step2: Determine the dimensions of the base and top rectangles

For the base and top of the rectangular prism, \(l = 12\space cm\) and \(w=6\space cm\)

Step3: Calculate the area of one base/top rectangle

Using the formula \(A = l\times w\), we have \(A_1=12\times6 = 72\space cm^{2}\)

Step4: Calculate the combined area of the base and top

Since there are two rectangles (base and top), \(A = 2\times A_1\). So \(A = 2\times72=144\space cm^{2}\)

Answer:

\(144\)