Answer:
c) 212 sq ft
Step-by-step explanation:
I don't know which ways you tried, but I will show you three different ways, and the answer will be the same using all three ways.
1) The length of the upper horizontal side is 8 ft + 12 ft = 20 ft
Think of a rectangle 20 ft by 16 ft with a rectangle 12 ft by 9 ft missing at the lower right corner.
area = 20 ft × 16 ft - 12 ft × 9 ft
area = 320 ft² - 108 ft²
area = 212 ft²
2) Break up the shape into an upper horizontal rectangle 20 ft long by (16 ft - 9 ft) = 7 ft wide and a lower left rectangle 9 ft high and 8 ft wide.
area = 20 ft × 7 ft + 9 ft × 8 ft
area = 140 ft² + 72 ft²
area = 212 ft²
3) Break up the shape into an left vertical rectangle 16 ft high by 8 ft wide and an upper right rectangle 7 ft high and 12 ft wide.
area = 16 ft × 8 ft + 7 ft × 12 ft
area = 128 ft² + 84 ft²
area = 212 ft²
Answer: c) 212 sq ft
