Acompany is deciding which box to use for their merchandise. the first box measures 8 inches by 6.25 inches by 10.5 inches. the second box measures 9 inches by 5.5 inches by 11.75 inches. which box required more material to make?

Ok so material needed=surface area
SA=2(LW+LH+WH)
note: LW means legnth times width
so

first box is
8 inches by 6.25 by 10.5
assign them
8=legnth
6.25=width
height=10.5
SA=2(8 times 6.25+8 times 10.5+6.25 times 10.5)
SA=2(50+84+65.625)
SA=2(199.625)
SA=399.25

second box
9 by 5.5 by 11.75
L=9
W=5.5
H=11.75
SA=2(9 times 5.5+9 times 11.75+5.5 times 11.75)
SA=2(49.5+105.75+64.625)
SA=2(219.875)
SA=439.75

so we now have

first box=399.25 in^2
second box=439.75 in^2

439.75>399.25
second box needs more material