Determine the lateral area of a quadrangular prism of volume of 16 cm3, if the height measures 4 cm. The answer says it is 16sqrt (3) cm

Question

Determine the lateral area of ​​a quadrangular prism of volume of 16 cm3, if the height measures 4 cm. The answer says it is 16sqrt (3) cm

chiunlee12 · Answer

Okay so the volume of a quadrangular prism is area x height

chiunlee12 · Answer

Given this, it is possible to solve for the area.
First, get the equation: 
Height = 4cm
area= a
Volume= 16 cm^3
So since height x area= volume,
4 x a = 16
now solve for a to find the area

crisulcampo · Answer

@chiunlee12 ok.. perfect!  I find the area of the surface which is...

$$a.b=4cm ^{2}$$

well done... Now, I need the lateral area whose formula is the following:

$$Lateral area= 2(a+b)*height$$

How would you do to find "a" and "b" values?

chiunlee12 · Answer

well, I think at this point you have to assume the values... Because based on the question, there can be more than one type of quadrangular prism that can fit the question.
Unless, they describe what the base is. If the base is just a square, all you need to do is 
a^2=4