Rectangle P has an area of 72 square inches. If a rectangle with an area of 20 square inches is...

1. TRANSLATE the problem information

• Given information:
  • Rectangle P has area = 72 square inches
  • Rectangle being removed has area = 20 square inches
  • Need to find area of resulting figure

• What this tells us: When something is "removed from" a shape, we subtract its area

2. INFER the approach

• This is a simple area subtraction problem
• We don't need to know specific dimensions or shapes - just the areas
• Resulting area = Original area - Removed area

3. Calculate the result

• Area of resulting figure = \(72 - 20 = 52\) square inches

Answer: D. 52

Why Students Usually Falter on This Problem

Most Common Error Path:

Weak TRANSLATE skill: Students misinterpret "removed from" as meaning addition rather than subtraction.

Their reasoning: "We have two rectangles mentioned with areas 72 and 20, so we combine them: \(72 + 20 = 92\)."

This may lead them to select Choice A (92).

The Bottom Line:

This problem tests whether students understand that "removed from" translates to subtraction in mathematical operations. The key insight is recognizing that removal decreases the total area, not increases it.