What is the surface area of a $1 \mathrm{~cm}$ by $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ by $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ rectangular prism?
(A) $10 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$
(B) $20 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$
(C) $12 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$
(D) $24 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$
(E) $16 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_04_20_46ead6524a8d61e21c51g-025.jpg?height=219&width=455&top_left_y=449&top_left_x=1258)
The area of the $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ by $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ base of the rectangular prism is $2 \times 2=4 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$.

The top face of the prism is identical to the base and so its area is also $4 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$.

Each of the 4 vertical faces of the prism has dimensions $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ by $1 \mathrm{~cm}$, and thus has area $2 \times 1=2 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$.

Therefore the surface area of the rectangular prism is $2 \times 4+4 \times 2=16 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$.

ANSWER: (E)