1. **State the problem:** We need to find how much carpet is required to cover the surface of a cube with edge length 40 cm. 2. **Formula used:** The surface area $A$ of a cube with edge length $s$ is given by $$A = 6s^2$$ This is because a cube has 6 faces, each a square of side $s$. 3. **Calculate the surface area:** Given $s = 40$ cm, $$A = 6 \times (40)^2$$ 4. **Simplify the expression:** $$A = 6 \times 1600 = 9600$$ 5. **Interpretation:** The carpet needed to cover the cube is the surface area, which is 9600 square centimeters. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{9600 \text{ cm}^2}$$