A = 2AB + AL
AB = area of the base
AL = lateral area = Perimeter X height
There must be a typo in this question, "Why does the formula for finding the surface area of arectangular prism is helpful?" What does that even mean?
its not i dont no why
It depends on what information you have.
Area=Bh when B=area of the base, and h=height of the prism/cylinder
I am not sure that a rectangular prism is in any position to care!
The Area of its base times the height of the shape.
Please be specific: Are you referring to surface area, volume? the length of one side?
area of base x height area of base x height
yes.
The base of a prism is always rectangular, so the area, A, =lw. l is length, w is width, of the base.
You must be thinking of a triangular prism. In that case, c is the length of the third side of the triangle at the end of the prism.
It is helpful because when you do the problem you know what to do.