1. **State the problem:** We want to multiply $9(7w + 8x)$ using the area model. 2. **Formula and rule:** The distributive property states that $a(b + c) = ab + ac$. Here, $a=9$, $b=7w$, and $c=8x$. 3. **Find partial products:** Multiply $9$ by each term inside the parentheses: $$9 \times 7w = 63w$$ $$9 \times 8x = 72x$$ 4. **Write the product:** Combine the partial products: $$9(7w + 8x) = 63w + 72x$$ This shows the total area as the sum of the areas of two rectangles, one with area $63w$ and the other with area $72x$. **Final answer:** $63w + 72x$