Lesson 12

Surface Area of a Cube

Let’s write a formula to find the surface area of a cube.

12.1: Exponent Review

Select the greater expression of each pair without calculating the value of each expression. Be prepared to explain your choices.

  • \(10 \boldcdot 3\)  or  \(10^3\)
  • \(13^2\)  or  \(12 \boldcdot 12\)
  • \(97+97+97+97+97+97\)  or  \(5 \boldcdot 97\)

12.2: The Net of a Cube

  1. A cube has edge length 5 inches.

    1. Draw a net for this cube, and label its sides with measurements.

    2. What is the shape of each face?
    3. What is the area of each face?
    4. What is the surface area of this cube?
    5. What is the volume of this cube?

  2. A second cube has edge length 17 units.

    1. Draw a net for this cube, and label its sides with measurements.

    2. Explain why the area of each face of this cube is \(17^2\) square units.
    3. Write an expression for the surface area, in square units.
    4. Write an expression for the volume, in cubic units.

12.3: Every Cube in the Whole World

A cube has edge length \(s\).

  1. Draw a net for the cube.
  2. Write an expression for the area of each face. Label each face with its area.
  3. Write an expression for the surface area.
  4. Write an expression for the volume.

Summary

The volume of a cube with edge length \(s\) is \(s^3\).

cube with transparant faces, side length s

A cube has 6 faces that are all identical squares. The surface area of a cube with edge length \(s\) is \(6 \boldcdot s^2\).

A net for a cube with each square labeled \(s^2\).

Glossary Entries

  • cubed

    We use the word cubed to mean “to the third power.” This is because a cube with side length \(s\) has a volume of \(s \boldcdot s \boldcdot s\), or \(s^3\).

  • exponent

    In expressions like \(5^3\) and \(8^2\), the 3 and the 2 are called exponents. They tell you how many factors to multiply. For example, \(5^3\) = \(5 \boldcdot 5 \boldcdot 5\), and \(8^2 = 8 \boldcdot 8\).

  • squared

    We use the word squared to mean “to the second power.” This is because a square with side length \(s\) has an area of \(s \boldcdot s\), or \(s^2\).