1. **Problem statement:** Calculate the area of a circle with radius 2.5 feet. 2. **Formula:** The area $A$ of a circle is given by the formula: $$A = \pi r^2$$ where $r$ is the radius of the circle. 3. **Given:** Radius $r = 2.5$ feet. 4. **Calculation:** Substitute $r = 2.5$ into the formula: $$A = \pi (2.5)^2$$ 5. Simplify the square: $$A = \pi \times 6.25$$ 6. Multiply by $\pi$ (approximate $\pi \approx 3.1416$): $$A \approx 3.1416 \times 6.25 = 19.635$$ 7. **Answer:** The area of the circle is approximately **19.635 square feet**. This means the space inside the circle with radius 2.5 feet covers about 19.635 square feet.