What is the surface area of a cube where a side measures 7.25 inches?

To find the surface area of a cube, you can use the formula:

[ \text{Surface Area} = 6 \times ( \text{side length} )^2 ]

In this case, the side length of the cube is 7.25 inches. First, calculate the area of one face of the cube by squaring the side length:

[ (7.25 \text{ in})^2 = 52.5625 \text{ square inches} ]

Next, since a cube has six faces, you multiply this area by 6 to find the total surface area:

[ \text{Surface Area} = 6 \times 52.5625 \text{ square inches} = 315.375 \text{ square inches} ]

Thus, the surface area of the cube with a side length of 7.25 inches is 315.375 square inches. This aligns with the provided answer, confirming its accuracy and providing a clear step-by-step understanding of how to arrive at the correct result.