Step 1
Find the area of Noelle's rectangular decl
we know that
the area of a rectangle is equal to
\(A=L*W\)
where
L is the length side of the rectangle
W is the with side of the rectangle
we have
\(L=18\ ft \\W=16\ ft\)
substitute
\(A=18*16=288\ ft^{2}\)
Step 2
Find the area of a hot tub
we know that
the area of a square is equal to
\(A=b^{2}\)
where
b is the length side of the square
we have
\(b=4\ ft\)
substitute
\(A=4^{2}=16\ ft^{2}\)
Step 3
Find the difference of the areas
\(288\ ft^{2}-16\ ft^{2}=272\ ft^{2}\)
therefore
the answer is
\(272\ ft^{2}\)
