For a room measuring 12' x 16' with an 8' ceiling, how many square feet of gypsum board are needed?

To calculate the amount of gypsum board needed for the room described, it's important to consider both the wall and ceiling surfaces that will require coverage.

First, determine the area of the walls.

For a room with dimensions 12' x 16' and an 8' ceiling height:

• There are two walls measuring 12' (length) by 8' (height) and two walls measuring 16' by 8'.

• The area of the two 12' walls is: 2 x (12' x 8') = 2 x 96 = 192 square feet.

• The area of the two 16' walls is: 2 x (16' x 8') = 2 x 128 = 256 square feet.

Adding these wall areas together gives:

192 + 256 = 448 square feet for the walls.

Next, calculate the area of the ceiling, which is simply the length times the width:

• The ceiling area is 12' x 16' = 192 square feet.

Now, to find the total square footage of gypsum board needed, add the wall area to the ceiling area:

448 sqft (walls) + 192 sqft (ceiling) =