SOLUTION: Hi, I am a mom who is trying to help my 11 year old with a math problem. The question is 1. Find the total surface area of a cube whose edge is 2 meters long. I believe that t

Algebra ->  Surface-area -> SOLUTION: Hi, I am a mom who is trying to help my 11 year old with a math problem. The question is 1. Find the total surface area of a cube whose edge is 2 meters long. I believe that t      Log On


   



Question 268206: Hi, I am a mom who is trying to help my 11 year old with a math problem. The question is
1. Find the total surface area of a cube whose edge is 2 meters long.
I believe that the answer would be (2x2)6 = 24
He thinks it is (2x1)8 = 16 m
He thinks that a cube has 8 edges so it would be x 8. I think it would be times 6 but can not remember why. Algebra was a long long time ago.
Please help.

Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi, I am a mom who is trying to help my 11 year old with a math problem. The question is
1. Find the total surface area of a cube whose edge is 2 meters long.
I believe that the answer would be (2x2)6 = 24
He thinks it is (2x1)8 = 16 m
He thinks that a cube has 8 edges so it would be x 8. I think it would be times 6 but can not remember why
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A cube has 8 vertices and 8 edges, but only 6 faces.
The surface area is 6 times the area of one of the faces, = 6*2^2 = 24 sq meters.
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If you paint it, the amount of paint needed is determined by the area of the faces, not the # of edges.