When we want to measure the size of an area we count in ‘squares’. When we want to describe the size of the area we talk about ‘square units’. For example: The rectangle at a) below has an area of 3 square units.
Look at the shapes below. 1. Which of the shapes do you think covers the largest area of the grid? 2. Which of the shapes do you think has the smallest area?
3. Measure the area of each of these shapes and write the measurements in square units below.
a e g i f h b c d
a) Area = 3 square units d) Area = g) Area =
b) Area = e) Area = h) Area =
4. Take out one of the cards from your pack of number cards. Thinking of the squares in your maths copy, estimate the area of your card in square units. Estimate =
Now place your card on the squares in your maths copy and draw around the card. To measure the area of the card, count up the number of squares that are covered.