1. Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms

2. Total surface area is the combined area of ALL faces of a solid.
To calculate total surface area (S), you can find the area of each face (including the bases) and add all the area measures.
Calculate the total surface area of the prism.
3(2) = 6
5(2) = 10
5(3) = 15
5(2) = 10
5(3) = 15 5
3(2) = 6 2
2(10) + 2(15) + 2(6) = 62 units² 3

3. You can also use a formula to calculate total surface area of prisms.
Area of the Base
S = Ph + 2B
Perimeter of the Base
Height of prism

4. P = 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 P = 10 B = lw B = 3(2) B = 6 S = Ph + 2B
First, find P.
P =
P = 10 5
Then, find B.
B = lw
B = 3(2) 2 3
B = 6
Finally, plug your calculations for P and B into the formula for surface area.
S = Ph + 2B
S = 10(5) + 2(6)
S = 62 units²

5. Eric wants to wrap his mom’s Christmas present
Eric wants to wrap his mom’s Christmas present. The box is 10 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and 6 inches long. How much paper will he need to cover the box?
P =
P = 28
B = lw
10”
B = 8(6)
B = 48 8” 6”
S = Ph + 2B
S = 28(10) + 2(48)
S = 376 inches²

6. Lateral area is the surface of a solid, excluding the bases.
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7. LA = Ph Perimeter of the Base Height of prism
To find the lateral surface area, you can calculate the area of each lateral face, or you can use this formula:
LA = Ph
Perimeter of the Base
Height of prism

8. Find the lateral surface area.
First, find P.
P = 2
P = 8 2 20
Then, multiply P by the height of the prism.
LA = Ph
LA = 8(20)
LA = 160 units²