A flower bed is in the shape of a rectangle. It measures $5 \mathrm{yd}$ long and $4 \mathrm{yd}$ wide. Tom wants to use mulch to cover the flower bed. The mulch is sold by the square foot. Use the facts to find the area of the flower bed in square feet.
Answer
The area of the flower bed is \(\boxed{180 \text{ square feet}}\)
Step 1 ：Convert the length from yards to feet: \(5 \text{ yd} \times 3 \text{ ft/yd} = 15 \text{ ft}\)
Step 2 ：Convert the width from yards to feet: \(4 \text{ yd} \times 3 \text{ ft/yd} = 12 \text{ ft}\)
Step 3 ：Calculate the area of the flower bed: \(\text{Area} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} = 15 \text{ ft} \times 12 \text{ ft} = 180 \text{ square feet}\)
Step 4 ：The area of the flower bed is \(\boxed{180 \text{ square feet}}\)
