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Bunuel
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Bunuel , the total surface area is the outer area of the cuboid.... it should be 52
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ShankSouljaBoi
Bunuel , the total surface area is the outer area of the cuboid.... it should be 52

Please allow me to respond here. ShankSouljaBoi!

Once a square hole is done across the cube is done, The volume of cube will decrease for sure, but if we look closely, we have more surface area to cover. That is inside the Larger cube. Hope, I am able to explain.
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ShankSouljaBoi
Bunuel , the total surface area is the outer area of the cuboid.... it should be 52

Please allow me to respond here. ShankSouljaBoi!

Once a square hole is done across the cube is done, The volume of cube will decrease for sure, but if we look closely, we have more surface area to cover. That is inside the Larger cube. Hope, I am able to explain.

I do agree to your contention,however, I think the stem should mention that the cube is a wooden or a solid figure. The figure could very well be made just of match sticks.
Bunuel !!!!
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ShankSouljaBoi
The total surface area of any 3-D solid dimension is the area that touches by "AIR". In the above diagram, the hollow cross-section inside the cube also touches the air. So we need to consider the inner cross-section.

Hope this logic makes sense. Do let me know if you have any further questions.
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meanup
ShankSouljaBoi
The total surface area of any 3-D solid dimension is the area that touches by "AIR". In the above diagram, the hollow cross-section inside the cube also touches the air. So we need to consider the inner cross-section.

Hope this logic makes sense. Do let me know if you have any further questions.
1. Highlighted is irrevelant to stem of the question
2. Supposedly a 3D figure with just yardsticks is made, air touches everything inside it, so per your reasoning, your are measuring the volume and not the surface area.
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