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Composite Area & Perimeter

Split the shape into rectangles, triangles and circles, and add or subtract areas.

The rules

  • Draw dividing lines to make simple shapes.
  • Area = sum of the parts, or the whole minus the cut-out.
  • Perimeter only includes the outer boundary.
  • Write the units: area in square units.
Watch out: Including inner edges in the perimeter.
Worked example

A 10 by 6 rectangle has a 2 by 2 square cut from one corner. What is the area?

  1. Rectangle area: 60.
  2. Cut-out: 4.
  3. 60 − 4 = 56.

Answer: 56

Try it yourself

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