Stephanie ! I see that you tried to draw a picture, but you didn't get very far.
Can I tell you what this example wants you to practice ?
Three things:
Thing #1: Remember the formula for the area of a rectangle.
Area = (length) times (width) .
Thing #2: Changing mixed numbers to fractions, and
fractions to mixed numbers.
Thing #3: Multiplying fractions.
This sandbox is a rectangle.
Its length is 3-1/12 yards.
Its width is 2-3/4 yards.
What is its area ?
Area = (length) times (width) .
Area = (3-1/12 yards) x (2-3/4 yards) .
In order to multiply mixed numbers, you have to change them both to fractions.
-- Change 3-1/12 to a fraction
3 and 1/12 is 3 wholes and 1/12
Each whole is 12 / 12.
3 wholes = 36/12
plus one more = 37/12 .
-- Change 2 and 3/4 to a fraction.
2 and 3/4 is 2 wholes and 3/4
Each whole is 4/4 .
2 wholes are 8/4 .
plus three more = 11/4 .
There you are. Now you know the length and width
of the rectangle as fractions.
Length = 37/12
Width = 11/4
Area = (length) times (width)
Area = (37/12) times (11/4)
Do you remember how to multiply two fractions ?
==> Multiply the numerators to get the numerator.
==> Multiply the denominators to get the denominator.
(37/12) x (11/4)
= (37 x 11) / (12 x 4)
= (407) / (48)
That's it ! As an improper fraction, the area is
407/48 square yards.
Now ... do you remember how to change an improper fraction
to a mixed number ?
I won't tell you how. Please look back in your math book, or in
the handouts, or in the homework, or in the notes, and find
how to change an improper fraction to a mixed number.
I know it's been taught in your class ... otherwise you would
not get this problem where you have to use it.
407/48 = (8 and 23/48) square yards.
That's the answer, but DON'T stop there. The answer is
NOT important. The important thing is that YOU need to
understand HOW to FIND the answer. Once you understand
that, it doesn't matter if you have the answer or not.
Nobody needs to know the area of Selena's sandbox !
