Total surface area of a cube (side = 7.5 cm)\nFind the total surface area (in cm²) of a cube whose edge length is 7.5 cm.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 337.5

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Cubes have six congruent square faces. A standard mensuration task is to compute total surface area (TSA) from the edge length, then ensure unit consistency (cm² here).


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Edge length a = 7.5 cm
  • Total surface area formula for a cube: TSA = 6 * a^2
  • Answer required in square centimetres (cm²).


Concept / Approach:
Each face is a square with area a^2. Since there are 6 faces in a cube, TSA = 6 * a^2. Compute a^2 first, then multiply by 6, taking care with decimal multiplication.


Step-by-Step Solution:

a^2 = 7.5 * 7.5 = 56.25 cm^2 TSA = 6 * 56.25 = 337.5 cm^2


Verification / Alternative check:
Break 7.5 into 15/2 ⇒ a^2 = (15/2)^2 = 225/4 = 56.25; multiplying by 6 yields 337.5 exactly, confirming the decimal computation.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
364.5 and 446 arise from mis-multiplication; 684 mistakenly doubles 342; only 337.5 matches 6 * a^2.


Common Pitfalls:
Using lateral surface area (4 * a^2) instead of total, or squaring 7.5 incorrectly (e.g., 7.5 * 7 = 52.5) leads to wrong values.


Final Answer:
337.5

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