Juan is constructing a doghouse . he need four pieces of ply wood that are 2 ft x 3 ft rectangles. he also needs two pieces of plywood that are 2 ft x 2 fr squares . how many square feet of plywood is he purchasing in all?

Hi there!

So, let’s start with the rectangles. You would multiply 4(2 ft x 3 ft) since length x width = area (for rectangles). You multiply by 4 because there are 4 rectangles mentioned, and each have the same 2 ft x 3 ft measurements.

Next, you multiply 2(2 ft x 2 ft), or 2 to the exponent of 3, i.e., 2^3. 2 ft x 2 ft are the measurements of the sides of the squares, and as you probably know, side x side OR side^2 = area (for squares). Again, you multiply the original 2 ft x 2ft area by 2 because there are 2 squares mentioned with the same 2 ft x 2 ft measurements.

Finally, you add 4(2 ft x 3 ft) and 2(2 ft x 2 ft) together to equal the total area of plywood purchased, or the total amount of square feet of plywood he is purchasing in all.