A rectangular piece of paper measuring 8 cm by 5 cm is to have its length and width reduced by the same amount. What is the area of the paper after the reduction?

Step 1: Identify the original dimensions of the rectangular paper. The original length L_0 = 8 cm. The original width W_0 = 5 cm. Step 2: Define the reduction amount. Let the equal amount by which both the length and width were reduced be x cm. For the dimensions to remain positive, x must be less than the smallest original dimension, so 0 < x < 5. Step 3: Determine the new dimensions of the drawing paper after reduction. The new length L = (L_0 - x) = (8-x) cm. The new width W = (W_0 - x) = (5-x) cm. Step 4: Formulate the area of the drawing paper. The area of a rectangle is given by A = L × W. A = (8-x)(5-x) A = 8 × 5 - 8x - 5x + x^2 A = 40 - 13x + x^2 A = x^2 - 13x + 40 cm^2 The problem asks to "Determine the area of the drawing paper", implying a specific numerical value. However, the value of x (the amount by which the dimensions were reduced) is not provided in the question. Without knowing the value of x, or the new area, it is not possible to determine a numerical value for the area of the drawing paper. Therefore, the problem is incomplete as presented. Last free one today — make it count tomorrow, or type /upgrade for unlimited.