Question

Why do I keep getting the answer: 35 11/16

Or another answer of 38 ¾
depending on if I convert the mixed number to an improper fraction of not...
what am I doing wrong???

This is the word problem:
"To find the area of a square room, Gordon must square the length of one side. The length of one side of room A is 1 ¼ yards. The length of one side of room B is 6 yards. What is the area of both rooms together?"

The correct answer is 37 ⁹/16

I did the math, and wrote the expression as: (1 ¼)² + 6². but still getting it wrong.....

also should I always convert a mixed number before using it's exponent???

​

Answer 1

see explanation

Explanation:

The sum of the areas of the 2 rooms is

(1
`(1)/(4)` )² + 6² ← change the mixed number to an improper fraction

= (
`(5)/(4)` )² + 6²

=
`(25)/(16)` + 36

= 1
`(9)/(16)` + 36

= 37
`(9)/(16)`