Question

amelia is building 3 square garden beds that are all the same size. she arranges them side by side to separate certain plants. amelia wants to know the total area of the beds.
which part of the expression will you evaluate first?
$6^2$
what is the total area of all 3 garden beds?
$a = \square$ $ft^2$
area of 3 garden beds $= 3a^2$
$= 3(6^2)$

Explanation:

Step1: Find area of one square bed

The side length of a square garden bed is \( 6 \) ft. The area of a square is \( \text{side}^2 \), so the area of one bed is \( 6^2 = 36 \) square feet.

Step2: Find total area of 3 beds

There are 3 such beds. So total area is \( 3\times36 = 108 \) square feet. Alternatively, using the formula \( 3a^2 \) where \( a = 6 \), first calculate \( a^2=6^2 = 36 \), then multiply by 3: \( 3\times36 = 108 \).

Answer:

108