area=base times height
base=12 and 3/4
height=1/2
area=12 and 3/4 times 1/2
12 and 3/4=12+3/4
area=(12+3/4) times 1/2
distribute using distributive propery a(b+c)=ab+ac
area=12 times 1/2+3/4 times 1/2
area=6+3/8
area=6 and 3/8 square inches (square inches=in^2))