Area is defined as the total amount of space within a two-dimensional figure and thus measures how much flat surface an object occupies, with area represented in square units (e.g., square centimeters, square inches, and square meters). You use area to measure the size of many items, including a book cover, a room, or any piece of land.
How to Calculate Area
1. The Area of a Rectangle.
The formula to calculate the area of a rectangle is: Area = (Length) x (Width), where both length and width are measured with the same unit of measure.
Example: A rectangle has a length of 5 units and a width of 4 units. Therefore, the area of this rectangle is:
Area = (5) x (4) = 20 square units Area = (5) x (4) = 20 square units
2. The Area of a Square.
The formula to determine the area of squares is: Area = (Side) x (Side) or Area = (Side)^2
Example: A square with a side length of 3 units would have an area of:
Area = (3) x (3) = 9 square units Area = (3) x (3) = 9 square units
3. The Count of Unit Squares (Grid Method).
Another way to find the area of a shape is to draw it on graph paper and count the total number of 1-unit squares that are completely covered by the shape.
Example: The base of a shape on graph paper covers 15 full squares → Area = 15 square units
Real-World Examples
Example 1 – The garden is 6 ft by 4 ft. The Space of the Garden will be” Area = 6 x 4 sq. ft”.
Example 2 – The Book Cover is 8 in. x 5 in. The Area of the Book Cover is “Area = 8 x 5 sq. in.”
Example 3 – A square tile has 3 ft. sides with “Area = 3 x 3 sq. ft.”
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Calculate the areas of the rectangles
Area = Length × Width:
1. Length = 6 units, Width = 4 units. 6×4=246×4=24 sq. units
2. Length = 8 units, Width = 5 units. 8×5=408×5=40 sq. units
3. Length = 3 units, Width = 7 units. 3×7=213×7=21 sq. units
4. Length = 9 units, Width = 2 units. 9×2=189×2=18 sq. units
5. Length = 5 units, Width = 5 units. 5×5=255×5=25 sq. units
Exercise 2: Calculate the area of a square
Area = Side × Side
1. Side = 4 units
2. Side = 7 units
3. Side = 3 units
4. Side = 6 units
5. Side = 2 units
Exercise 3: True or False
Read the statements below and decide whether they are true or false:
1. The area of a rectangle that is 5 units long and 2 units wide is 10 sq. units.
2. A square that is 6 units long has an area of 36 sq. units.
3. The area of a rectangle that is 4 units long and 7 units wide is 12 sq. units.
4. A square that is 5 units long has an area of 25 sq. units.
5. The area of a rectangle that is 8 units long and 3 units wide is 24 sq. units.
Understanding how to find the area will help when using math in everyday life, at school, and at work.
1. Rectangle: Length × Width
2. Square: Side × Side
3. For a shape that is not a rectangle or square? Count the number of unit squares or break it down into smaller rectangles.