ISEE Upper Level Math : How to find the surface area of a cube

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Solve For Surface Area

The length of the side of a cube is . Give its surface area in terms of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Substitute  in the formula for the surface area of a cube:

Example Question #2 : Solve For Surface Area

If a cube has one side measuring cm, what is the surface area of the cube? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a cube, use the formula , where represents the length of the side.  Since the side of the cube measures , we can substitute in for .

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Cube

Your friend gives you a puzzle cube for your birthday. If the length of one edge is 5 cm, what is the surface area of the cube?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Your friend gives you a puzzle cube for your birthday. If the length of one edge is 5 cm, what is the surface area of the cube?

To find the surface area of a cube, use the following formula:

This works, because we have 6 sides, each of which has an area of 

Plug in our known to get our answer:

Example Question #21 : Cubes

A cube has a side length of , what is the surface area of the cube?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A cube has a side length of , what is the surface area of the cube?

Surface area of a cube can be found as follows:

Plug in our side length to find our answer:

Making our answer:

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Cube

One of your holiday gifts is wrapped in a cube-shaped box. 

If one of the edges has a length of 6 inches, what is the surface area of the box?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

One of your holiday gifts is wrapped in a cube-shaped box. 

If one of the edges has a length of 6 inches, what is the surface area of the box?

We can find the surface area of a square by squaring the length of the side and then multiplying it by 6.

Example Question #22 : Cubes

Find the surface area of a cube that has a width of 6cm.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a cube, we will use the following formula:

where a is the length of any side of the cube.

 

Now, we know the width of the cube is 6cm.  Because it is a cube, all sides are 6cm.  That is why we can choose any side to substitute into the formula.

Now, knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #354 : Geometry

Find the surface area of a cube with a length of 7in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a cube, we will use the following formula:

where a is the length of any side of the cube.  Note that all sides are equal on a cube.  That is why we can use any length in the formula. 

 

Now, we know the length of the cube is 7in.  

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Cube

Find the surface area of a cube with a width of 4cm.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a cube, we will use the following formula.

where a is the length of any side of the cube.

 

Now, we know the width of the cube is 4in.  Because it is a cube, all sides are equal (this is why we can use any length in the formula).  So, we will use 4in in the formula.  We get

Example Question #356 : Geometry

Find the surface area of a cube with a length of 12in.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the surface area of a cube, we will use the following formula:

where l is the length, and w is the width of the cube.

 

Now, we know the length of the cube is 12in.  Because it is a cube, all lengths, widths, and heights are the same.  Therefore, the width is also 12in.

Knowing this, we can substitute into the formula.  We get

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Surface Area Of A Cube

While exploring an ancient ruin, you discover a small puzzle cube. You measure the side length to be . Find the cube's surface area.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

While exploring an ancient ruin, you discover a small puzzle cube. You measure the side length to be . Find the cube's surface area.

To find the surface area, use the following formula:

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