Let's break this problem into parts and calculate the total cost of painting the bedroom:

1. Calculate the total wall area:

• The room is 5 m by 6.5 m with walls 2.5 m high.
• There are 4 walls:
  • Two walls of size $5 \, \text{m} \times 2.5 \, \text{m}$ = $12.5 \, \text{m}^2$ each.
  • Two walls of size $6.5 \, \text{m} \times 2.5 \, \text{m}$ = $16.25 \, \text{m}^2$ each.
• Total wall area: $\text{Wall Area} = 2(12.5) + 2(16.25) = 25 + 32.5 = 57.5 \, \text{m}^2.$

2. Account for the window and door:

• Window area: $1 \, \text{m} \times 0.8 \, \text{m} = 0.8 \, \text{m}^2$.
• Door area: $1 \, \text{m} \times 2.3 \, \text{m} = 2.3 \, \text{m}^2$.
• Subtract window and door areas: $\text{Adjusted Wall Area} = 57.5 - (0.8 + 2.3) = 57.5 - 3.1 = 54.4 \, \text{m}^2.$

3. Calculate the ceiling area:

• The ceiling is the same size as the floor: $5 \, \text{m} \times 6.5 \, \text{m}$: $\text{Ceiling Area} = 5 \times 6.5 = 32.5 \, \text{m}^2.$

4. Total area to paint:

• Add the wall and ceiling areas: $\text{Total Paint Area} = 54.4 + 32.5 = 86.9 \, \text{m}^2.$

5. Determine the number of paint cans needed:

• Each can covers 20 m²: $\text{Number of Cans} = \lceil 86.9 \div 20 \rceil = \lceil 4.345 \rceil = 5 \, \text{cans}.$

6. Calculate the total cost:

• Each can costs $38.95: $\text{Total Cost} = 5 \times 38.95 = 194.75 \, \text{USD}.$

Final Answer:

It will cost $194.75 for Laurence to paint the bedroom.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Related Questions:

1. How would the cost change if the paint can covered 25 m² instead of 20 m²?
2. What is the cost per square meter for painting this room?
3. How would the calculations change if the walls were 3 m high instead of 2.5 m?
4. How much area is left unpainted because of the window and door?
5. What happens to the total cost if the price per can increases to $45?

Tip:

Always round up when determining the number of cans needed, as partial cans cannot be purchased.