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How to Determine the Exterior Surface Area of a Cube

A cube is a three-dimensional square and has six faces, giving it height, width and depth. Each face of the cube represents a geometric square. This means you can calculate the surface area of each face of a cube just as you calculate the surface area of a square. Calculating the surface area of a two-dimensional square or a three-dimensional cube also results in the same unit of measurement, such as square inches (in^2).

Things You'll Need

Ruler or measuring tape
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of one side of the cube you are analyzing using a ruler or measuring tape. Hold your ruler or tape parallel to one edge of the side as you measure the edge from corner to corner. For example, say the side of one face of your cube is 3 inches long.
- 2
  Square the length of the side you have measured using a calculator if necessary. For example, 3 x 3 = 9. The surface area of one face of your cube is nine square inches (in^2).
- 3
  Multiply your answer by 6 using a calculator if necessary because a cube has six faces (surface area of one face x number of faces = exterior surface area of cube). For example, 9 x 6 = 54. The exterior surface area of your cube is 54 square inches.

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