Final Answer:
The correct expression for the area of Maria's classroom is given by option (c) A = x² - 7x.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given options, we need to find the expression that represents the area of Maria's classroom. The area of a rectangle is given by the product of its length and width. In this case, let's assume the length of the classroom is represented by 'x' and the width by '(x - 7)'. Therefore, the area (A) can be expressed as A = x * (x - 7).
Now, let's simplify the expression to see if it matches any of the given options. Distributing the 'x' into the parentheses, we get A = x² - 7x. This corresponds to option (c), so our final answer is (c) A = x² - 7x.
In the context of the problem, the expression x² - 7x makes sense. The term x^2 represents the area of the main rectangular part of the classroom, and the term -7x represents the area of the smaller rectangular section subtracted from the main part. This subtraction accounts for the reduced area due to the smaller section, which is 7 units shorter in length.
Therefore, the expression captures the geometric characteristics of Maria's classroom accurately. The negative coefficient indicates the reduction in area, and the quadratic term represents the primary rectangular area. Hence, option (c) is the correct expression for the area of Maria's classroom.