Question

Which expression is equivalent to the area of metal sheet required to make this square-shaped traffic sign?

Answer 1

The area of a square is $A = s^{2}$, where s = length of a side of the square. You know the length of the square shaped traffic sign's side is s = 2x-1. Plug that value into the equation for the area of the square and foil:
$A = s^{2} \\ A = (2x-1)^{2} \\ A = (2x-1)(2x-1)\\ A = 4x^{2} - 4x + 1$

The area of the square sign is D) $4x^{2} - 4x + 1$