What is the area of the shape below?
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What is the area of the shape below?
First, let's draw an imaginary line so that we get a shape containing one large rectangle and one small rectangle.
Then we can calculate the area of the large rectangle:
Next we will calculate the area of the small rectangle:
Finally, we combine the two areas to get the answer:
31 cm²
Look at the rectangle ABCD below.
Side AB is 6 cm long and side BC is 4 cm long.
What is the area of the rectangle?
Look for places where you can create complete rectangles! In this L-shape, you can draw a vertical line to separate the main 14×2 rectangle from the 3×1 extension.
Yes! You could also think of it as a large rectangle with a corner cut out. The total area will always be 31 square units regardless of how you decompose it.
Because L-shapes aren't rectangles! Using 14×3=42 counts some area twice and includes empty space. Always break into actual rectangles that exist in the shape.
Follow each edge carefully and match dimensions that are directly across from each other. The main rectangle is 14 wide and 2 tall, while the extension is 3 wide and 1 tall.
Since we're calculating area, use square units! If the measurements were in cm, your answer would be 31 cm². Always include the word 'square' or the ² symbol.
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