Why do I keep getting the 35 11/16 Or another answer of 38 ¾
depending on if I convert the mixed number to an improper fraction of not...
what am I doing wrong???

This is the word problem:
"To find the area of a square room, Gordon must square the length of one side. The length of one side of room A is 1 ¼ yards. The length of one side of room B is 6 yards. What is the area of both rooms together?"

The correct answer is 37 ⁹/16

I did the math, and wrote the expression as: (1 ¼)² + 6². but still getting it wrong

also should I always convert a mixed number before using it's exponent???