A home sits on a quarter-acre lot. What other measurement describes the size of this lot?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
A quarter-acre lot is approximately 10,890 square feet.
Explanation:
To understand this conversion, we first need to know the relationship between acres and square feet:
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet.
This is a standard measurement in land area. Acres are commonly used in real estate to describe large parcels of land, but they can also be divided into smaller portions. - A quarter-acre is one-fourth of an acre. To find the size of a quarter-acre in square feet, we calculate:
[
\text{Quarter-acre size} = \frac{1}{4} \times 43,560 \, \text{square feet}
]
[
\text{Quarter-acre size} = 10,890 \, \text{square feet.}
]
This means that the lot measures 10,890 square feet in area.
Practical Significance:
This calculation is useful in real estate, construction, and landscaping. For example:
- Real estate buyers can better understand the dimensions of a property by thinking in square feet, as this unit is more relatable for planning purposes (e.g., adding a garden or building a home extension).
- Landscapers use square feet to estimate the cost of sod, mulch, or fencing materials.
- Builders need square footage to determine where a house or other structure can be situated on the lot, accounting for setbacks and zoning laws.
Comparison:
To put 10,890 square feet into perspective:
- A standard basketball court measures about 4,700 square feet. A quarter-acre lot is slightly more than twice that size.
- A quarter-acre is equivalent to about 0.23 hectares (for metric users).
Understanding these conversions allows for better visualization and planning of land use.