THE AREA OF A SHAPE

AREA OF A SHAPE The area of a shape is the amount of flat space that the shape occupies. The area of a shape is measured using squares and finding the number that will fit inside the shape.

If the shape is made up of full or half squares it is easy to count the squares and find the area. 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 2 6 Area = 71/2 sq. 3 4 5

If the shape isn’t made of full or half squares you may have to put part squares together to make whole squares. Count the full squares. Put half squares together (if possible). Put other parts together to make full squares. You must have accounted for all of the space inside the shape.

Area = 7 ½ squares 1 2 5 3 4 6 7 How much area does the rest make up?

Remember: The area of a shape is measured in units squared, cm or m . AREA OF A RECTANGLE length width Area = length x width 2 Remember: The area of a shape is measured in units squared, cm or m .

1. 9 cm 5 cm Area = l x w = 9 x 5 = 45 cm2 2. 4 cm 11 cm

THE AREA OF A TRIANGLE Note: The area of each triangle is half that of the rectangle.

Area = ½ x base x height base Note: The height of a triangle is the perpendicular distance from the base to the highest point.

Area = ½ x base x height THE AREA OF A TRIANGLE 1. base 7 cm 1. 6 cm Area = ½ x 7 x 6 = ½ x 42 = 21 cm2 2. 15 cm 10 cm Area = ½ x 10 x 15 = ½ x 150 = 75 cm2