Question

The dimensions of two solar panels are given. Determine their total area.

Panel A	Panel B

• A. $1,300\text{sq units}$
• B. $492\text{sq units}$
• C. $1,307\text{sq units}$
• D. $1,306\text{sq units}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $1,306\text{sq units}$

First we find the area of panel A:
Length $=31$ units $=30$ units $+1$ unit
Width $=29$ units $=20$ units $+9$ units
Let’s determine the area using the partitioning method.
$\begin{array}{ccc}& 30& 1\\ 20& 600& 20\\ 9& 270& 9\end{array}$
Area of solar panel A $=600+20+270+9=899\text{sq units.}$

Let’s find the area of panel B:
Length $=37$ units $=30$ units $+7$ units
Width $=11$ units $=10$ units $+1$ unit
Let’s determine the area using the partitioning method.
$\begin{array}{ccc}& 30& 7\\ 10& 300& 70\\ 1& 30& 7\end{array}$
Area of solar panel B $=300+70+30+7=407\text{sq units.}$

Total area = Area of panel A $+$ Area of panel $B=899+407=1,306\text{sq units.}$