Question

BRAINLIEST FOR RIGHT ANSWER!! A student wants to know how many 1 cm squares are needed to completely cover all the sides of a 10 cm by 8 cm by 12 cm box. What measure is the student trying to calculate?

Answer 1

Surface area, but there is a wrinkle which we'll talk about later.

The area is front and back top and bottom left and right, six sides in all. 

Left / Right
Area = 10 * 8 = 80 cm^2
2 Sides Area = 2 * 80 cm^2 = 160 cm^2

Top / Bottom
Area = 10 * 12 = 120
2 Side Area = 2 * 120 = 240 cm^2

Ends
Area = 8 * 12 cm = 96 cm^2 
2 sides = 2 * 96 = 192 cm^2

Total Area
The total area of all six sides is 192 + 240 + 160 = 592 cm^2

Comment and Answer
592 cm^2 <<<< Answer

There might be a problem with overlap. Right at the edge of face the gluing of the tiles stops. Do you put on one more layer or not. I would say not. You have to be told to do that. I think the question just requires a straight forward reply. If not, write me a message.  

Answer 2

It is perimeter
i am sure