A paperweight in the shape of a square pyramid has a side length of 2.7 inches. The slant height is 2.5 inches. What is the surface area of the paper weight

1. To solve this problem you need to apply the formula for calculate the surface area of a square pyramid, which is shown belown:

 A=2bs+b^2

 A is the surface area of the square pyramid.
 b is lenght of the base of the square pyramid.
 s is the slant height of the square pyramid.
 
 2. Then, you have:

 b=2.7 inches

 s=2.5

 3. When you substitute the values above into the formula for calculate the surface area of the square pyramid, you obtain:

 A=2bs+b^2

 A=2(2.7 inches)(2.5 inches)+(2.7 inches)^2
 A=13.5 inches^2+7.29 inches^2
 A=20.79 inches^2

 The answer is: 20.79 inches^2