What is the formula for surface area of a rectangular solid?

The formula for the surface area of a rectangular solid, also known as a rectangular prism, is correctly represented by the formula SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2hw. This formula accounts for all six faces of the rectangular solid, consisting of pairs of opposite faces.

In the formula, 'l' represents the length, 'w' the width, and 'h' the height of the solid. The term 2lw calculates the area of the top and bottom faces, 2lh corresponds to the front and back faces, and 2hw accounts for the two side faces. By combining these areas, the formula gives the total surface area that encompasses the entire rectangular solid.

This comprehensive summation ensures that every face is included, differentiating it from simpler expressions that might only consider single dimensions or combinations that do not represent the full surface area.