(1.) Your answer is 621. The formula for the area of a rectangle is A = l*w, where l is the length and w is the width. Your length is 23 and your width is 27. So, now you have A = 23*27, which equals 621. 621 = 23*27.
(2.) First, find the area of the whole rectangle. Your length is 9 ft and your width is 8 ft. A = 9*8, which is 72. Next find the area for the play area. Your length is 4 ft and your width is 3 ft. A = 4*3, which is 12. Subtract 72-12 and you have your answer. Your answer is 60.
