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Notice for each of the three faces you see, there is an identical opposite face that does not show.

S = ( front + back ) + ( left side + right side ) + ( top + bottom ) S = ( 2 · front ) + ( 2 · left side ) + ( 2 · top ) S = 2 · 12 + 2 · 6 + 2 · 8 S = 24 + 12 + 16 S = 52 sq. units

The surface area S of the rectangular solid shown in [link] is 52 square units.

In general, to find the surface area of a rectangular solid, remember that each face is a rectangle, so its area is the product of its length and its width (see [link] ). Find the area of each face that you see and then multiply each area by two to account for the face on the opposite side.

S = 2 L H + 2 L W + 2 W H
A rectangular solid is shown. The sides are labeled L, W, and H. One face is labeled LW and another is labeled WH.
For each face of the rectangular solid facing you, there is another face on the opposite side. There are 6 faces in all.

Volume and surface area of a rectangular solid

For a rectangular solid with length L , width W , and height H :

A rectangular solid is shown. The sides are labeled L, W, and H. Beside it is Volume: V equals LWH equals BH. Below that is Surface Area: S equals 2LH plus 2LW plus 2WH.
Doing the Manipulative Mathematics activity “Painted Cube” will help you develop a better understanding of volume and surface area.

For a rectangular solid with length 14 cm, height 17 cm, and width 9 cm, find the volume and surface area.

Solution

Step 1 is the same for both and , so we will show it just once.

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and
label it with the given information.
.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. the volume of the rectangular solid
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. Let V = volume
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.

V = L W H
V = 14 9 17
Step 5. Solve the equation. V = 2,142
Step 6. Check
We leave it to you to check your calculations.
Step 7. Answer the question. The surface area is 1,034 square centimeters.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. the surface area of the solid
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. Let S = surface area
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.

S = 2 L H + 2 L W + 2 W H
S = 2 ( 14 17 ) + 2 ( 14 9 ) + 2 ( 9 17 )
Step 5. Solve the equation. S = 1,034
Step 6. Check: Double-check with a calculator.
Step 7. Answer the question. The surface area is 1,034 square centimeters.
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Find the volume and surface area of rectangular solid with the: length 8 feet, width 9 feet, and height 11 feet.

  1. 792 cu. ft
  2. 518 sq. ft

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Find the volume and surface area of rectangular solid with the: length 15 feet, width 12 feet, and height 8 feet.

  1. 1,440 cu. ft
  2. 792 sq. ft

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A rectangular crate has a length of 30 inches, width of 25 inches, and height of 20 inches. Find its volume and surface area.

Solution

Step 1 is the same for both and , so we will show it just once.

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and
label it with the given information.
.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. the volume of the crate
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. let V = volume
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.

V = L W H
V = 30 25 20
Step 5. Solve the equation. V = 15,000
Step 6. Check: Double check your math.
Step 7. Answer the question. The volume is 15,000 cubic inches.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. the surface area of the crate
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. let S = surface area
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.

S = 2 L H + 2 L W + 2 W H
S = 2 ( 30 20 ) + 2 ( 30 25 ) + 2 ( 25 20 )
Step 5. Solve the equation. S = 3,700
Step 6. Check: Check it yourself!
Step 7. Answer the question. The surface area is 3,700 square inches.
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Practice Key Terms 3

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Source:  OpenStax, Prealgebra. OpenStax CNX. Jul 15, 2016 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11756/1.9
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