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What is the surface area of the triangular prism?
To find the surface area of a triangular prism, we need to calculate the area of its two triangular bases and three rectangular faces.
Surface area = 2(base area) + (perimeter) × height
In this case, the triangular bases have a base of 5 cm and a height of 3 cm.
Base area = 1/2 × base × height
Base area = 1/2 × 5 cm × 3 cm
Base area = 7.5 cm²
The perimeter of the base is 5 cm + 15 cm + 13 cm = 33 cm
The height of the prism is 8 cm
Surface area = 2(7.5 cm²) + 33 cm × 8 cm
Surface area = 15 cm² + 264 cm²
Surface area = 279 cm²
Therefore, the surface area of the triangular prism is 279 cm².