Areas of Geometric Figures

Rectangle:

Area = long side multiplied by short side

A = LS

Parallelogram:

A=bh

Circle:

A=πr²

(note: length of circumference = 2πr)

Triangle:

Area

= (ah)/2

=(a/2)h

=(bc sinA)/2

Square Metre or Metre Squared:

Is four squared metres the same as four metres squared?

No, and the difference is vast, so care must be taken.

The best way is to remember that m² is always said aloud as “square metres” and never, ever as “metres square”. Some people prefer to write sq.m to help them remember.

Four metres square is sixteen square metres:

A square with sides equal to 4m — gives an area of 4m by 4m or 16m². (16 sqm). Think of this as saying four metres all squared — square the 4 and square the m — which is 4 x 4 x m x m = 16m².

Four square metres is two metres square:

A square with sides equal to 2m — gives an area of 2m by 2m or 4m² (4 sqm). Think of this as saying two metres all squared — square the 2 and square the m — which is 2 x 2 x m x m = 4m².

Two square metres:

A rectangle of sides 1m by 2m, produces an area of 2m²(2 sqm), and NOT two metres square.