Jim cut out 4 small squares and 3 big squares from a piece of cardboard. The length of the sides of each small square was x inches and the length of the sides of each big square was y inches. The expression below shows the total number of square inches of cardboard that Jim used for cutting out the squares: 4x2 + 3y2 What does the term 4x2 in the expression represent?

The total area of the big squares
The total area of the small squares
The total perimeter of the big squares
The total perimeter of the small squares

Question

Jim cut out 4 small squares and 3 big squares from a piece of cardboard. The length of the sides of each small square was x inches and the length of the sides of each big square was y inches. The expression below shows the total number of square inches of cardboard that Jim used for cutting out the squares: 4x2 + 3y2  What does the term 4x2 in the expression represent? 
	
	The total area of the big squares
	The total area of the small squares
	The total perimeter of the big squares
	The total perimeter of the small squares

anonymous · Answer

Hi Welcome to Openstudy!

Remember that the formula for the area of a square is $A=s^2$

Since Jim cut 4 small squares and their length is x, the area of ONE small square is $x^2$ and the total area of the small squares will be  $x^2+x^2+x^2+x^2=4x^2$. 

Therefore, $4x^2$ represents..........?

anonymous · Answer

I have no Idea. I really appreciate the help though :)

anonymous · Answer

Hi sorry late repz.

I already mentioned the answer above :) just read it carefully