Calculate Surface Area: 3×5×2 Rectangular Prism Problem

Surface Area Formula with Three-Dimensional Geometry

Calculate the surface area of the orthohedron below using the data in the diagram.

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Calculate the surface area of the box
00:03 Now we'll use the formula to calculate the surface area of a box
00:17 We'll substitute appropriate values and solve to find the surface area
01:09 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Calculate the surface area of the orthohedron below using the data in the diagram.

333555222

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll utilize the formula for the surface area of a cuboid. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Identify the dimensions from the problem. The dimensions provided are a=3a = 3, b=5b = 5, and c=2c = 2.
  • Step 2: Apply the surface area formula for a cuboid. The formula is: 2(ab+bc+ac) 2(ab + bc + ac) where aa, bb, and cc are the dimensions of the cuboid.
  • Step 3: Substitute the known values into the formula: 2(35+52+32) 2(3 \cdot 5 + 5 \cdot 2 + 3 \cdot 2)
  • Step 4: Calculate each term inside the parentheses: - ab=35=15 a \cdot b = 3 \cdot 5 = 15 - bc=52=10 b \cdot c = 5 \cdot 2 = 10 - ac=32=6 a \cdot c = 3 \cdot 2 = 6
  • Step 5: Sum the results from Step 4: 15+10+6=31 15 + 10 + 6 = 31
  • Step 6: Multiply the sum by 2 to find the total surface area: 2×31=62 2 \times 31 = 62

Thus, after performing the necessary calculations, the surface area of the orthohedron is 62 62 square units.

3

Final Answer

62

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Surface area equals 2(ab + bc + ac) for rectangular prisms
  • Technique: Calculate each face pair: 3×5=15, 5×2=10, 3×2=6
  • Check: Sum all face areas: 2(15+10+6) = 2(31) = 62 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting to multiply by 2 in the formula
    Don't calculate just ab + bc + ac = 31 and stop there! This gives you only half the surface area because each rectangular face appears twice on opposite sides. Always multiply the sum by 2 to account for all six faces.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

A cuboid is shown below:

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What is the surface area of the cuboid?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we multiply by 2 in the surface area formula?

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A rectangular prism has 6 faces total, but they come in 3 pairs of identical rectangles. The formula 2(ab+bc+ac) 2(ab + bc + ac) accounts for both faces in each pair!

What's the difference between a cuboid and an orthohedron?

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They're the same thing! An orthohedron is just another name for a rectangular prism or cuboid - a 3D shape with 6 rectangular faces and right angles.

How do I identify which dimensions are length, width, and height?

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It doesn't matter which dimension you call a, b, or c! The surface area formula works the same way. Just make sure you use all three different measurements from the diagram.

Can I calculate surface area by finding each face separately?

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Absolutely! You can find the area of all 6 faces individually:

  • Top and bottom: 2 × (3×5) = 30
  • Front and back: 2 × (3×2) = 12
  • Left and right: 2 × (5×2) = 20

Then add: 30 + 12 + 20 = 62. This gives the same answer as the formula!

What units should I use for my answer?

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Since surface area measures the total area of all faces, your answer should be in square units. If the dimensions are in cm, your answer is in cm². If no units are given, just say 'square units'.

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