Question

A rectangular prism is 7 centimeters long, 5 centimeters wide, and 4 centimeters tall. Which values are the areas of cross sections that are parallel to a face (or base) of the prism?

12 square centimeters
16 square centimeters
20 square centimeters
28 square centimeters
35 square centimeters
49 square centimeters
25 square centimeters

Answer 1

20 square centimeters, 28 square centimeters, and 35 square centimeters.

Answer 2

Cross section is the area you make when you make a cut across a shape. In this case, the cut must be parallel to the base. Hence, the cut shape would be same to that of the base. The base's dimensions are 7 cm long x 5 cm wide. Thus, the cross section area is 35 square centimeters.