Question

Jessie has a piece of cardboard that is 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Sh makes a picture frame with the cardboard by cutting out a 4 inch by 4 inch square from the center of the cardboard. What is the area of the frame?

Answer 1

First, we determine the area of the piece of cardboard by multiplying its dimensions. 
                area of cardboard = (8.5 inches) x (11 inches) = 93.5 in²
Then, we solve for the area of the cut out square,
              area of the square = (4 inches) x (4 inches) = 16 in²
Then, we subtract the areas giving us the area of the frame which is equal to,
                          77.5 in²