What is the formula for the surface area of a rectangular prism?

The formula for the surface area of a rectangular prism is derived from calculating the area of each of its six rectangular faces. A rectangular prism has three pairs of opposite faces: two faces that are length times width, two faces that are length times height, and two faces that are width times height.

To find the surface area, you:

1. Calculate the area of the two length × width faces: 2 × (length × width).

2. Calculate the area of the two length × height faces: 2 × (length × height).

3. Calculate the area of the two width × height faces: 2 × (width × height).

When you sum these areas, you get:

Surface Area = 2 × (length × width + length × height + width × height).

This matches the correct answer, which reflects adding the areas of each pair of faces and multiplying by two. Hence, option B accurately represents this calculation method for surface area and demonstrates a thorough understanding of how to derive the complete surface area of a rectangular prism.