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 point)
Byron's error is that he calculated the area of the rectangle using whole numbers, ignoring the fractions. The correct calculation should take into account the fractions as well.
Correct calculation:
Length = 6 1/2 = 13/2 cm
Width = 4 1/2 = 9/2 cm
Area = Length x Width
Area = (13/2 cm) x (9/2 cm)
Area = 117/4 square cm
Area = 29 1/4 square cm
Therefore, the correct area of the rectangle is 29 1/4 square centimeters, not 22 square centimeters as calculated by Byron.