Area of Squares & Rectangles

≈ 25 min

Area is the amount of flat space a shape covers, measured in square units (cm $^2$ , m $^2$ ). Think of covering the shape with $1 \times 1$ tiles and counting them.

For a rectangle, the tiles form rows and columns, so

A = l \times b.

For a square, $A = s \times s$ .

Worked example. A rectangle $8$ m by $5$ m has area $8 \times 5 = 40$ m $^2$ . A square of side $6$ cm has area $6 \times 6 = 36$ cm $^2$ .

A rectangle is $8$ m long and $5$ m wide. What is its area, in m $^2$ ?

A square tile has sides of $6$ cm. What is its area, in cm $^2$ ?

A rectangular carpet is $4$ m by $3$ m. How many $1$ m $^2$ tiles are needed to cover it exactly?

$7$

$12$

$14$

$24$

A rectangle has an area of $24$ cm $^2$ and a length of $6$ cm. What is its width, in cm?