area=base times height base=12 and 3/4 height=1/2 area=12 and 3/4 times 1/2 12 and 3/4=12+3/4 area=(12+3/4) times 1/2 distribute using distributive propery a(b+c)=ab+ac area=12 times 1/2+3/4 times 1/2 area=6+3/8 area=6 and 3/8 square inches (square inches=in^2))
