Area · Grade 3

In Grade 3 you learn: area by counting squares and compound shapes.

Area is the amount of flat space a shape covers, measured in square units such as cm² and m². Count the squares, or use the formula for the shape; a compound shape splits into simpler shapes.

Key facts

  • Area is measured in square units: count the squares a shape covers.
  • Compound shapes: split into rectangles (or subtract a missing piece). Use the same units throughout.

Worked examples

Example 1

Count the squares to find the area of the shape. Each square is 1 cm².

Answer: 7 cm²

Example 2

Find the area of a rectangle 5 cm long and 3 cm wide.

Answer: 15 cm²

Example 3

A rectangle is covered by 4 rows of 6 squares. Each square is 1 cm². What is its area?

Answer: 24 cm²

Example 4

Find the area of this L-shape. All corners are right angles; lengths are in cm.

Answer: 55 cm²

Other years