How can we use the concept:
You can find the volume and the surface area of rectangular prisms.
There are two formulas that can be used to find the volume of a rectangular prism.
V = lwh (Volume = length width height)
V = Bh (Volume = Base Area height)
The formula to find the surface area of a rectangular prism is:
A = 2(lw + lh + wh)
When finding the surface area, you are finding the area of each of the 6 rectangular faces on the prism. You can use a net, which is a 2 dimensional model of the prism. This is an example of a rectangular prism and its net:
Sample Math Problems
1. Find the surface area of the net.
Solution:
First, identify the length, width, and height:
L = 9 in W = 4 in H = 3 in
Next substitute the dimensions into the formula:
2. Find the surface area of a rectangular prism measuring 16 ft x 9 ft x 3.5 ft.
Solution: First, identify the length, width, and height: L = 16 ft W = 9 ft H = 3.5
Next substitute the dimensions into the formula:
Next substitute the dimensions into the formula:
3. Find the volume of a rectangular prism measuring 5.25 in x 9 in x 15.5 in.
Solution:
Use the formula:
4. Daniel wants to wrap a gift box in wrapping paper. The box is shaped like a rectangular prism. The base of the box is 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. The height of the box is 10 inches. What is the least amount of wrapping paper, in square inches, that Daniel will need to wrap the gift?
Solution: The dimensions of the rectangular prism are: L = 12 in, W = 8 in, H = 10 in.
