a.

• Step 1(a):

  Find the outside dimensions of the large rectangle.

  Hint 1(a):

  See dimensions below.

  

  Hint 2(a):

  As a product: multiply the dimensions of the large rectangle together.
  As a sum: add up the areas of all of the small rectangles.

  Answer (a):

  area as product $=$ (length)(width) $=(x+3)(x+1)$
  area as sum $=x+x+x+x^2+1+1+1+x=x^2+4x+3$

• Hint (b):

  Use the same method as part (a).

  

  Answer (b):

  area as a product $=$ (length)(width) $=(2x+1)(x+2)$
  product as a sum $=x^2+x^2+x+x+x+x+x+1+1=2x^2+5x+2$