GEOMETRY

Area Of Rectangles

Learn the reliable method for area of rectangles, then apply it to 11+ exam-style questions.

1 · WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The idea

A rectangle's area is the product of its perpendicular length and width.

Picture itCount the square units inside
Colourful playground markings showing shapes, equal sections, parallel lines and boundaries
2 · THE METHOD

Follow these steps

  1. Identify length and width.
  2. Use area = length × width, or divide area by one side to find the other.
  3. Use square units for area and linear units for a missing side.
rectangle area = length × width
3 · WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action

Example 1

How much greater is the area of the larger rectangle than the area of the smaller rectangle?

A: 7 cm × 5 cm
B: 4 cm × 4 cm
  1. Rectangle A has area 7 × 5 = 35 cm².
  2. Rectangle B has area 4 × 4 = 16 cm².
  3. Their area difference is 35 − 16 = 19 cm².
Answer: 19 cm²
Example 2

The diagram is a scale drawing of a rectangular garden. What is the garden's actual area?

Scale: 1 cm represents 2 m7 cm4 cm
  1. The actual dimensions are 7 × 2 = 14 m and 4 × 2 = 8 m.
  2. The area is 14 × 8 = 112 m².
Answer: 112 m²
4 · ELEVENSPRINT TIP

A useful shortcut

Use square units for area and linear units for a missing side.

5 · COMMON MISTAKES

Watch out for these

6 · TRY IT YOURSELF

Three fresh questions

Ready to check the method? You will get three fresh, validated questions.