In a rectangular tile model, the side lengths are (t+3) and (t−4). What is the simplified area?

Correct answer: t²−t−12

The correct answer is B: t²−t−12. The area of a rectangle is the product of its side lengths, so write (t+3)(t−4). Multiply every term in the first bracket by every term in the second: t×t=t², t×(−4)=−4t, 3×t=3t, and 3×(−4)=−12. Combining like terms gives t²−4t+3t−12 = t²−t−12. Option A incorrectly adds the middle contributions as 4t+3t instead of respecting the negative sign. Option C changes the signs of the middle and constant terms. Option D has the wrong constant sign and the wrong net coefficient of t. A tile model makes the four products visible, which helps prevent missed or incorrectly signed terms. Memory cue: use FOIL or four products, then combine like terms only at the end.