1) has the largest surface area, and the surfaces that should overlap each other are the least.

If you want to have the smallest surface area, you should have the most overlapping surfaces.

So eight cubes are put together in a straight line, and the maximum surface area is = (1*1) * 2+(8 *1) * 4 = 34 cubic centimeters.

Eight cubes are combined into a 2*2*2 cube, and the minimum surface area is =(2*2)*6=24 cubic centimeters.

2) Five cubes can only be assembled into a cuboid on a straight line.

So: the side length is: x*8+(5x)*4= 1 12.

x=4

The length of the original cube =4* 12=48cm.