Area is a measurement of the amount of space inside a two-dimensional shape or figure. It is measured in square units, such as square inches (in²), square centimeters (cm²), or square meters (m²). In this lesson, we will learn about the concept of area, how to calculate it, and its applications in real-life situations.
What is Area?
Area is the measure of the amount of space inside a two-dimensional figure or shape. It can be thought of as the surface covered by the shape. The area of a shape is always expressed in square units. For example, a square with a side length of 5 cm has an area of 25 cm².
How to Calculate Area?
The formula for calculating the area of a shape depends on the type of shape. Here are some common formulas for calculating the area of different shapes:
- Rectangle: Area = length x width (A = lw)
- Square: Area = side length x side length (A = s²)
- Triangle: Area = (base x height) / 2 (A = bh/2)
- Circle: Area = π x radius² (A = πr²)
Applications of Area
Calculating area is an important skill in many real-life situations. For example, architects and builders use area to determine the amount of materials needed to construct a building, such as the amount of paint needed to cover a wall or the amount of flooring needed to cover a room.
In addition, farmers use area to determine the amount of land needed to grow crops or raise animals. Understanding area is also important in the fields of art, design, and engineering.
Practice Exercise
Now that you have learned about area, let’s try a practice exercise.
- What is the area of a rectangle with a length of 6 cm and a width of 4 cm?
- What is the area of a circle with a radius of 3 cm?
- What is the area of a triangle with a base of 10 cm and a height of 8 cm?
Answers:
- The area of the rectangle is 24 cm² (A = lw = 6 x 4 = 24).
- The area of the circle is approximately 28.27 cm² (A = πr² = π x 3² ≈ 28.27).
- The area of the triangle is 40 cm² (A = bh/2 = 10 x 8 / 2 = 40).
Area is an important concept in mathematics that is used to measure the amount of space inside a two-dimensional shape or figure. It is expressed in square units and can be calculated using specific formulas for each type of shape.
Area is useful in a wide range of real-life situations, from construction to farming to art and design.