If the proposed system costs $2.25 per square foot annually, how much would it cost for 12,500 square feet?

To find the total cost for the proposed system, you need to multiply the cost per square foot by the total square footage. In this case, the system costs $2.25 per square foot, and the area in question is 12,500 square feet.

The calculation goes as follows:

Cost = Cost per square foot × Total square feet

Cost = $2.25 × 12,500

When you perform the multiplication:

$2.25 × 12,500 = $28,125

This result indicates that the total cost for covering an area of 12,500 square feet at the specified rate of $2.25 per square foot is indeed $28,125. Understanding this multiplication approach is critical, as it helps you to accurately assess costs associated with building systems based on varying sizes or rates.