Jeremy had a square piece of gift wrapping paper with a side length of x inches that he used to wrap a present. First he cut 6 inches off the right side of the paper and discarded the rectangular scrap. Next he cut 3 inches off the top of the paper and again discarded the rectangular scrap. What expression represents the total area in square inches of the scraps that he discarded? Explain your process and justify your answer.

(9x - 18) square inches

Step-by-step explanation:

Data provided in the question:

Side of the square piece of gift wrapping paper = x inches

Now,

According to the question:

He cut 6 inches off the right side of the paper and discarded the rectangular scrap

Therefore,

Dimension of the scrap formed will be 6x square inches

The dimensions of the paper left

Top width will be (x - 6) and the right width will be x

Next he cut 3 inches off the top of the paper and again discarded the rectangular scrap

Therefore,

Dimension of the scrap will be

(x - 6) long wide and 3 inches wide

Hence,

The area of the scraps will be

⇒ 6x + 3 (x - 6)

⇒ 6x + 3x - 18

⇒ (9x - 18) square inches