Q:

You built a skateboard ramp in the shape of a triangular prism. If you want to paint the entire ramp, even the bottom, what is the total area you will paint?

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:180 ft²Step-by-step explanation:In order to find the total area to paint, you need to find the surface area of the entire figure, which is the sum of the areas of all the sides.  Since there are 5 faces to the prism, including the bottom, you will need to add the area of all five faces.  The sides of the ramp are triangles with a base of 12 ft and height of 5ft.  The area of a triangle is: A = 1/2bh.  Since there are two triangles with the same dimensions: 12 x 5 = 60 ft²Next, the top of the ramp is a rectangle with a length of 13 ft and width of 4 ft: 13 x 4 = 52 ft²The bottom of the ramp is also a rectangle with length of 12 ft and width of 4 ft: 12 x 4 = 48 ft²Lastly, the height of the ramp is 5 ft with a width of 4ft, also in the shape of a rectangle: 5 x 4 = 20 ft²Add them all together: 20 + 48 + 52 + 60 = 180 ft²