Question

find the area of the figure. (sides meet at right angles.)

Explanation:

Step1: Divide the figure into three rectangles

The figure can be divided into three rectangles.

Step2: Calculate the area of each rectangle

• For the top rectangle: length \(l = 8\) ft, width \(w=3\) ft. Area \(A_1=l\times w=8\times3 = 24\) \(ft^{2}\)
• For the middle rectangle: length \(l = 8-(4 + 4)=0\) (This is wrong. Let's re - divide. The correct way: The figure can be considered as a large rectangle minus a small rectangle. The large rectangle has length \(l = 8\) ft and width \(w = 9\) ft. Area \(A_{large}=8\times9=72\) \(ft^{2}\). The small rectangle that is cut out has length \(l=(8-(4 + 4))\) (wrong again. Correct: The small rectangle has length \(l = 4\) ft and width \(w=(9-(3 + 3))=3\) ft. Area \(A_{small}=4\times3 = 12\) \(ft^{2}\)

Step3: Calculate the area of the composite figure

Using the formula \(A = A_{large}-A_{small}\)
\(A=72- 12=60\) \(ft^{2}\)

Answer:

\(60\) \(ft^{2}\)