math question

Can someone please explain why the answer is E?

What have YOU tried that makes you get something otherwise?

As a quick hint, how many 0.5m x 0.5m tiles fit in 1 m^2?

Then split the area to be tiled into rectangles and work out the area of each rectangle, in square metres. How many 0.5m x 0.5m tiles would fit into that area?

I have done it myself and can confirm that E is indeed the correct answer.

As an aside to more experienced members: is this too much of a hint?

No its a perfect hint
As long as its guidance and not the whole solution it's good IMHO, unless they are close enough that you can put the answer

As a quick hint, how many 0.5m x 0.5m tiles fit in 1 m^2?

Then split the area to be tiled into rectangles and work out the area of each rectangle, in square metres. How many 0.5m x 0.5m tiles would fit into that area?

I have done it myself and can confirm that E is indeed the correct answer.

As an aside to more experienced members: is this too much of a hint?

8 tiles in 1m^2 ... then split into 18 rectangles 6m by 2m = 12m each rectangle .... 12m/ 0.25 = 864 tiles??