A rectangular parking lot measures 15 meters by 8 meters. What is the area of the parking lot in square...

1. TRANSLATE the problem information

• Given information:
  • Rectangular parking lot measures 15 meters by 8 meters
  • This means: \(\text{length} = 15\text{ m}, \text{width} = 8\text{ m}\)
• We need to find: area in square meters

2. INFER the approach needed

• To find the area of a rectangle, we need the area formula
• \(\text{Area} = \text{length} \times \text{width}\)
• We have both dimensions, so we can calculate directly

3. Apply the formula and calculate

• \(\text{Area} = \text{length} \times \text{width}\)
• \(\text{Area} = 15 \times 8 = 120\text{ square meters}\)

Answer: C) \(120\text{ m}^2\)

Why Students Usually Falter on This Problem

Most Common Error Path:

Conceptual confusion: Mixing up area and perimeter formulas

Students sometimes think about the "total distance around" the parking lot instead of the "space inside" it. They calculate perimeter using \(2(\text{length} + \text{width}) = 2(15 + 8) = 2(23) = 46\).

This may lead them to select Choice B (\(46\text{ m}^2\))

Second Most Common Error:

Poor TRANSLATE reasoning: Using addition instead of multiplication

Some students see "15 meters by 8 meters" and simply add the numbers together: \(15 + 8 = 23\), thinking this gives them the area.

This may lead them to select Choice A (\(23\text{ m}^2\))

The Bottom Line:

This problem tests whether students can distinguish between area (multiplication of dimensions) and perimeter (addition of all sides), and whether they properly interpret "by" to mean multiplication rather than addition.