If a tile is 9.96 inches by 9.96 inches, how many do i need to cover 24 square feet?

24 feet = 288 inches. 
9.96*9.96 = 99.2016
288 ÷ 99.2016 ≈ 3

hope this helps! :)

Area of the tile = 9.96 inches * 9.96 inches = 99.2016 square inches.

Area of tile = 99.2016*inches * inches

Area of the floor = 24 square feet.

Number of tiles = Area of floor / Area of 1 tile

24 square feet = 24* 1 feet * 1 feet               But  1 feet = 12 inches.

Area of floor = 24 * 12 inches * 12 inches

Number of tiles = (24 * 12 inches * 12 inches) / (99.2016*inches * inches)

                         ≈ 34.84

We need  to round up the number of tiles to 35

Number of tiles = 35

Hope this explains.