Worked Example 1
Rectangular Prism
Find the surface area of a prism that is 5 by 3 by 2 units.
- 1Front and back: 2 × (5 × 3) = 30
- 2Top and bottom: 2 × (5 × 2) = 20
- 3Two sides: 2 × (3 × 2) = 12
- 430 + 20 + 12 = 62
Answer: 62 square units
Florida Grade 6 Math · Geometric Reasoning
MA.6.GR.2.4: Surface Area Using Nets
What this Grade 6 benchmark means, worked examples, common mistakes, and a free printable worksheet.
Created by a Florida mom · Published by Tropical Learning LLC
What Is Benchmark MA.6.GR.2.4?
Surface area is the total area of all the faces of a 3D figure. Students find the surface area of right rectangular prisms and right rectangular pyramids by unfolding them into a net (a flat pattern of the faces).
A rectangular prism has 6 rectangular faces in 3 matching pairs. A rectangular pyramid has a rectangular base and 4 triangular faces; in Grade 6, the heights of the triangles are given.
Official benchmarkGiven a mathematical or real-world context, find the surface area of right rectangular prisms and right rectangular pyramids using the figure’s net.
On the FAST test: part of the Grade 6 reporting category Geometric Reasoning, Data Analysis, and Probability, which is about 25–36% of the test.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 2
Square Pyramid
A pyramid has a 6 cm by 6 cm square base. Each triangular face has a height of 5 cm. Find its surface area.
- 1Base: 6 × 6 = 36
- 2Each triangle: 12 × 6 × 5 = 15, and there are 4: 4 × 15 = 60
- 336 + 60 = 96
Answer: 96 square centimeters
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Counting only the faces you can see
Wrong:Surface area of a 5 × 3 × 2 prism: 15 + 10 + 6 = 31
A prism has 6 faces, so each of those areas appears twice: 62 square units.
Forgetting the base of a pyramid
Wrong:Surface area of the pyramid: 4 × 15 = 60
Add the square base too: 60 + 36 = 96 square cm.
Helpful Math Tip
Unfold an empty cereal box to see the net. Measure each face and add the areas.
Related Grade 6 Skills
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