Answer: 272
Explanation:
To find the surface area of the cereal box, we need to add up the areas of all its sides.
The cereal box has six sides: the top, bottom, front, back, and two sides. The dimensions of the box are given as 8 inches by 2 inches by 12 inches.
To calculate the area of the top and bottom sides, we multiply the length (8 inches) by the width (2 inches). So, the area of each of these sides is 8 inches times 2 inches, which equals 16 square inches.
To calculate the area of the front and back sides, we multiply the length (8 inches) by the height (12 inches). So, the area of each of these sides is 8 inches times 12 inches, which equals 96 square inches.
To calculate the area of the two side walls, we multiply the width (2 inches) by the height (12 inches). So, the area of each of these sides is 2 inches times 12 inches, which equals 24 square inches.
To find the total surface area of the cereal box, we add up the areas of all the sides.
16 square inches (top) + 16 square inches (bottom) + 96 square inches (front) + 96 square inches (back) + 24 square inches (side) + 24 square inches (side) = 272 square inches.
Therefore, the surface area of the cereal box is 272 square inches.