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4.035 Estimating area

Lesson

Estimating area

Sometimes we may only want an idea of the area of something, without needing an exact measurement. In such a case there are some techniques we can use to estimate area:

  • Using a mental image of a common objects of size $$1 mm2, $$1 cm2, $$1 m2 and/or $$1 km2, try to picture how many it would take to cover the object.
  • For shapes that are rectangular (or close to rectangular), we can estimate the length and width of the object and then multiply: $$Area=length×width.
  • If a picture of the item is available, you could draw a scale grid over it and estimate by counting the number of squares needed to cover the item.

 

Practice questions

Question 1

Estimate the area of the artwork above the sofa if the sofa is $$1.9m in length.

  1. $$1.7 m2

    A

    $$0.01 m2

    B

    $$5 m2

    C

    $$0.5 m2

    D

Question 2

Estimate the area of the curved shape below if each square on the grid has an area of $$3 mm2.

  1. $$111 mm2

    A

    $$72 mm2

    B

    $$26 mm2

    C

    $$48 mm2

    D

Question 3

Which of these objects do you think would have an area of about $$1m2?

  1. goal area on a football field

    A

    lid of a shoe box

    B

    coffee table

    C

    baking tray

    D

 

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