A white paper 2 inches wide is placed around a rectangular black paper with dimensions 8 inches by 12 inches. What is the area of the white paper, in square inches?
Choose the correct answer:
A) 96	B) 196	C) 128	D) 144	E) 168

Rationale: this question is an example of a ' punch out ' question - we have to find the area of everything , then ' punch out ' the part that we do n ' t want . we ' re told that a white paper 2 inches wide is placed around a rectangular black paper with dimensions 8 inches by 12 inches . we ' re asked for the area of the frame , in square inches . area of a rectangle = ( length ) ( width ) so the area of the black paper is . . . ( 8 ) ( 12 ) = 96 the white paper ' adds ' 2 inches to the top , bottom , left and right ' sides ' of the picture , so the area of everything is . . . ( 8 + 2 + 2 ) ( 12 + 2 + 2 ) = ( 12 ) ( 16 ) = 196 when we ' punch out ' the area of the black paper , we ' ll be left with the area of the white paper : 192 - 96 = 96 final answer : b
Answer: B