1. **Problem statement:** We have a square lot with a true area of 2.25 hectares. The sides were measured using a tape that is 0.04 m too short (each measurement is underestimated by 0.04 m). We need to find the error in the computed area in square meters. 2. **Convert hectares to square meters:** Since 1 hectare = 10,000 m², $$ \text{True area} = 2.25 \times 10,000 = 22,500\,\text{m}^2 $$ 3. **Calculate the true side length:** For a square, $$ \text{side length} = \sqrt{\text{area}} = \sqrt{22,500} = 150\,\text{m} $$ 4. **Calculate the measured side length:** The tape is 0.04 m too short, so the measured side length is $$ 150 - 0.04 = 149.96\,\text{m} $$ 5. **Calculate the measured area:** $$ (149.96)^2 = 149.96 \times 149.96 = 22,488.0016\,\text{m}^2 $$ 6. **Calculate the error in area:** $$ \text{Error} = \text{True area} - \text{Measured area} = 22,500 - 22,488.0016 = 11.9984\,\text{m}^2 $$ 7. **Final answer:** The error in area measurement is approximately $$ 12\, \text{m}^2 $$