A rectangular metal plate is 40 cm long and 30 cm wide…

Step 1. The plate. $40 \times 30 = 1200\ \text{cm}^2$.

Step 2. One hole. $\dfrac{22}{7} \times 3.5 \times 3.5 = 38.5\ \text{cm}^2$.

Step 3. Four holes. $4 \times 38.5 = 154\ \text{cm}^2$.

Step 4. The plate that is left. $1200 - 154 = 1046\ \text{cm}^2$.

Step 5. In square metres. $1046 \div 10\,000 = 0.1046\ \text{m}^2$.