Surface area is the total area of the surface. A cube has 6 surface, and each surface is the same. Each surface is a 11 by 11 square. Therefore there will be 6 11in. x 11in. surfaces. The math would be 11x11x6 =726.
You can multiply by 12 because to get rid of the fractions all terms should be divided by the LCM (ie the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by 2, 4 and 3)
Multiples of 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12
Multiples of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16
Multiples of 2 = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
Therefore the fractions should be multiplied by 12
You shift up and down when there is a value at the end of the function outside of the parentheses. Since it is -1, you shift down one.
You shift left and right when there is a value inside the parentheses. Since it is 2, you shift left 2. Remember that you always shift left if the number positive and you shift right when it is negative.