Use the image to answer the question.
An illustration shows a rectangle of length as whole number 6 start fraction 1 over 2 end fraction centimeters and width as whole number 4 start fraction 1 over 2 end fraction centimeters. The lengths are horizontally positioned and widths are vertically positioned.
Byron calculated the area of the rectangle as 22 square centimeters. What is the error in his reasoning and what is the correct answer?
1. Byron found the perimeter of the rectangle. The correct area is 11 square centimeters.
2. Byron found the perimeter of the rectangle. The correct area is 22 square centimeters.
3. Byron found the perimeter of the rectangle. The correct area is 29 1/4 square centimeters.
4. Byron found the perimeter of the rectangle. The correct area is 24 1/4 square centimeters.
Option 2. Byron found the perimeter of the rectangle. The correct area is 22 square centimeters.
To find the area of a rectangle, you multiply the length by the width. In this case, Byron mistakenly multiplied the sum of the length and width instead. The correct calculation should be 6 1/2 * 4 1/2 = 29 1/4 square centimeters.