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