The perimeter of a rectangle is 72 inches. The shortest side is nine inches long. What is the area of the rectangle? A. 648 square inches B. 328 square inches C. 243 square inches D. 81 square inches Let me see. P = 2l + 2w 72 = 2l + 2(9) 72 - 18 = 2l 54 = 2l 54/2 = l 27 = l A = lw A = 27(9) A = 243 The area is 243 square inches.