MathsYears 5–6Measurement

Area of composite rectilinear shapes

Calculate and compare the area of rectangles (including using standard units, cm2 and m2) and including using the formulae; estimate the area of irregular shapes

What you'll learn

  1. 1

    Imagine your bedroom floor. It's not a perfect rectangle — maybe it has a bump-out for a wardrobe. That's a composite shape!

  2. 2

    What is a composite shape?

  3. 3

    Cut this L-shaped floor into two rectangles. Tap to split it.

  4. 4

    Let's find the area of this L-shape together.

  5. 5

    Now try this one: a shape made of a 5 m by 2 m rectangle and a 3 m by 3 m square. Find the total area.

  6. 6

    A composite shape has a 4 m by 5 m rectangle and a 2 m by 3 m rectangle. What is the total area?

  7. 7

    When finding the area of a composite shape, what do you do LAST?

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