To determine the surface area of a cube, multiply the length of one side by itself and then by six (since a cube has six equal sides). The surface are of a sphere can be calculated using the formula 4r, where r is the radius of the sphere. By comparing the surface areas of the cube and sphere, we can determine which shape is more efficient in terms of material usage. Choosing a shape with a slightly smaller surface area can help minimize the material required and reduce production costs. For example, a company manufacturing tree ornaments would perform these calculations to determine the most cost-effective shape. Similar a company producing food packaging might nee to choose between rectangular boxes or cylindrical containers. By analyzing the surface areas of these shapes, they can optimize their