The figure shows a plastic cuboid that measures 131 cm by 24 cm by 24 cm.
- Find the maximum number of 5-cm cubes that can be cut from the plastic cuboid.
- Find the total surface area of the L-shaped block after cutting.
(a)
Number of cubes along the length
= 131 ÷ 5
= 26 r 1
Breath = Height
Number of cubes along the breadth or height
= 24 ÷ 5
= 4 r 4
Maximum number of 5 cm cubes
= 26 x 4 x 4
= 416
(b)
Area of the 2 squares
= 2 x 24 x 24
= 1152 cm
2 Area of the top and bottom bases
= 2 x 131 x 24
= 6288 cm
2 Area of 1 L-shaped side
= 131 x 4 + (24 - 4) x 1
= 524 + 20
= 544 cm
2Area of 2 L-shaped sides
= 2 x 544
= 1088 cm
2 Total surface area
= 6288 + 1152 + 1088
= 8528 cm
2 Answer(s): (a) 416; (b) 8528 cm
2 
