Answer: 9x - 3x* - 3y + y* square meters
Explanation:
(a) The expanded form of (a + b) 2 is:
(a + b) 2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(b) The area of the rectangular mat is:
Area = Length × Breadth
Given that the length is 3x - y meters and the breadth is 3 - * meters.
So, the area of the rectangular mat can be calculated as:
Area = (3x - y) × (3 - *)
= 9x - 3x* - 3y + y*
Therefore, the area of the rectangular mat is 9x - 3x* - 3y + y* square meters.