Final answer:
The projected area that an average person takes up while standing is approximately 0.70 m². This is estimated based on an average male's height and an assumed width of about 0.35 m, resulting in a standing area when feet are flat on the floor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area that an average person takes up while standing can be approximated by considering the size of an adult falling in a spread eagle position. In this example, an average male is about two meters tall. When a person stands, they do not occupy their full height in area on the ground, rather we consider the width. If we estimate the frontal width of an average male to be approximately 0.35 meters, the projected area on the ground while standing would be 0.70 m² (A = 2 m * 0.35 m).
If a person were to increase the pressure exerted on the ground, such as by carrying a heavy object or standing on their toes, the area through which this force is spread would decrease, thus increasing the pressure.