1. **Problem:** Calculate the surface area of a rectangular shipping container with dimensions 6 m by 3 m by 2.4 m. 2. **Formula:** The surface area $SA$ of a rectangular prism is given by: $$SA = 2(lw + lh + wh)$$ where $l$, $w$, and $h$ are the length, width, and height respectively. 3. **Calculate each pair of faces:** - Top and Bottom area: $6 \times 3 = 18$ m$^2$ - Front and Back area: $6 \times 2.4 = 14.4$ m$^2$ - Left and Right area: $3 \times 2.4 = 7.2$ m$^2$ 4. **Sum the areas and multiply by 2:** $$SA = 2(18 + 14.4 + 7.2)$$ $$SA = 2(39.6)$$ $$SA = 79.2 \text{ m}^2$$ 5. **Answer:** The surface area of the shipping container is **79.2 m$^2$**.