4. A sign has an area of 9 square feet. What is the perimeter of the sign? (draw the square and label)

To find the perimeter of a square sign with an area of 9 square feet, we start by realizing that the area \(A\) of a square is calculated with the formula \(A = s^2\), where \(s\) is the length of a side. Since the area is 9, we take the square root: \(s = \sqrt{9} = 3\) feet. Now, the perimeter \(P\) of a square is given by \(P = 4s\). Thus, substituting the side length we found: \(P = 4 \times 3 = 12\) feet. Picture a square with each side labeled as 3 feet, forming a lovely little square sign, and the total length around it (the perimeter) wraps snugly at 12 feet! Here's a tip: always double-check your dimensions! A common mistake is forgetting that while area and perimeter are related, they use different formulas. When tackling problems involving shapes, keeping track of the specifics is key to avoiding mix-ups.