Question

The vegetable garden measures 5 and 1/4 ft wide by 10 and 1/2 ft long. Solve of the total area.

*Reminder: Area = length x width

Answer 1

To calculate the area of the vegetable garden, you'll need to multiply the length by the width.

First, convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:

1. For the width:
\[
5 \frac{1}{4} = \frac{5 \times 4 + 1}{4} = \frac{20 + 1}{4} = \frac{21}{4} \text{ ft}
\]

2. For the length:
\[
10 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{10 \times 2 + 1}{2} = \frac{20 + 1}{2} = \frac{21}{2} \text{ ft}
\]

Now, we can calculate the area:
\[
\text{Area} = \text{length} \times \text{width} = \left(\frac{21}{2}\right) \times \left(\frac{21}{4}\right)
\]

To multiply the fractions, multiply the numerators and the denominators:
\[
\text{Area} = \frac{21 \times 21}{2 \times 4} = \frac{441}{8} \text{ ft}^2
\]

To convert \(\frac{441}{8}\) to a mixed number, divide 441 by 8:
\[
441 \div 8 = 55 \quad \text{(remainder 1)}
\]
So, \(\frac{441}{8} = 55 \frac{1}{8}\) ft².

The total area of the vegetable garden is:
\[
\boxed{55 \frac{1}{8}} \text{ ft}^2
\]