To find the surface area of a square pyramid, we need to add the area of the base to the area of the four triangles.

1. Calculate the area of the base:
The base is a square, so we can use the formula A = s^2
A = 12^2
A = 144

2. Calculate the area of each triangle:
The slant height is 18 and the base length is 12, so we can use the formula A = 0.5 * base * height
A = 0.5 * 12 * 18
A = 108

3. Since there are 4 triangles, multiply the area of one triangle by 4:
4 * 108 = 432

4. Add the area of the base and the area of the triangles:
144 + 432 = 576

Therefore, the surface area of the square pyramid is 576.
CAN YOU REWORD THIS AND MAKE IT SHORTER

To find the surface area of a square pyramid, calculate the area of the base (12^2 = 144) and the area of each triangle (0.5*12*18=108). Multiply the area of one triangle by 4 (4*108=432) and add it to the base area (144+432=576). Therefore, the surface area of the square pyramid is 576.