Find the area of a square plot of land whose each side measures $8\dfrac{1}{2}$ metres.

[Hint: Area of the plot = side² = $\left(8\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^2$ sq. m = $\left(8\dfrac{1}{2} \times 8\dfrac{1}{2}\right)$ sq. m]

We know that area of a square = side × side.

Side of the square plot $= 8\dfrac{1}{2} \text{ m} = \dfrac{17}{2} \text{ m}$

Finding the area,

$\dfrac{17}{2} \times \dfrac{17}{2} = \dfrac{17 \times 17}{2 \times 2} \\[1em] = \dfrac{289}{4} \\[1em] = 72\dfrac{1}{4} \text{ sq. m}$

Hence, the area of the square plot is $\mathbf{72\dfrac{1}{4} \text{ sq. m}}$.