# Pre-Algebra Examples

The surface area of a pyramid is equal to the sum of the areas of each side of the pyramid. The base of the pyramid has area , and and represent the slant height on the length and slant height on the width.
Substitute the values of the length , the width , and the height into the formula for surface area of a pyramid.
Simplify each term.
Multiply by to get .
Apply the product rule to .
Raise to the power of to get .
Raise to the power of to get .
Remove parentheses around .
Raise to the power of to get .
To write as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by .
Write each expression with a common denominator of , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of .
Combine.
Multiply by to get .
Combine the numerators over the common denominator.
Multiply by to get .
Rewrite using the quotient rule for radicals.
Simplify the denominator.
Rewrite as .
Pull terms out from under the radical, assuming positive real numbers.
Cancel the common factor of .
Write as a fraction with denominator .
Factor out the greatest common factor .
Cancel the common factor.
Rewrite the expression.
Simplify.
Multiply and to get .
Divide by to get .
Divide by to get .
Remove parentheses around .
One to any power is one.
Remove parentheses around .
Raise to the power of to get .