Answer:
Part a) [tex]SA=316.5\ in^2[/tex]
Part b) [tex]SA=534\ in^2[/tex]
Part c) [tex]SA=207.75\ in^2[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
Part a) Find out the surface area
The surface area of a rectangular prism is equal to
[tex]SA=2B+PH[/tex]
where
B is the area of the base
P is the perimeter of the base
H is the height of the prism
Find the area of the base B
[tex]B=(5.5)(7.5)=41.25\ in^2[/tex]
Find the perimeter of the base P
[tex]P=2(5.5+7.5)=26\ in[/tex]
we have
[tex]H=9\ in[/tex]
substitute the values in the formula
[tex]SA=2(41.25)+26(9)[/tex]
[tex]SA=316.5\ in^2[/tex]
Part b) What is the surface area if the width of 7.5 inches is doubled?
we have that
The new width is 2(7.5)=15 in
Find the area of the base B
[tex]B=(5.5)(15)=82.5\ in^2[/tex] ---> the area of the base is doubled
Find the perimeter of the base P
[tex]P=2(5.5+15)=41\ in[/tex]
we have
[tex]H=9\ in[/tex]
substitute the values in the formula
[tex]SA=2(82.5)+41(9)[/tex]
[tex]SA=534\ in^2[/tex]
Part c) What is the surface area if the width 7.5 inches is half as great?
we have that
The new width is 0.5(7.5)=3.75 in
Find the area of the base B
[tex]B=(5.5)(3.75)=20.625\ in^2[/tex]
Find the perimeter of the base P
[tex]P=2(5.5+3.75)=18.50\ in[/tex]
we have
[tex]H=9\ in[/tex]
substitute the values in the formula
[tex]SA=2(20.625)+18.50(9)[/tex]
[tex]SA=207.75\ in^2[/tex]