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Checking and securing understanding of area for compound shapes

I can calculate the area of compound shapes made from rectangles, triangles, parallelograms and trapeziums efficiently.

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Lesson 6 of 12

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Year 10

Checking and securing understanding of area for compound shapes

I can calculate the area of compound shapes made from rectangles, triangles, parallelograms and trapeziums efficiently.

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Key learning points

There are multiple ways to find the area of compound shapes.
The most efficient method may depend on the features of the shape.
A method is to break the shape into shapes you can find the area of.
A method is to complete the shape.
A method is to rearrange the shape.

Keywords

Area - The area is the size of the surface and states the number of unit squares needed to completely cover that surface.
Compound shape - A compound shape is a shape created using two or more basic shapes.
Composite shape - A composite shape is an alternative for a compound shape.

Common misconception

Pupils may multiply all given lengths.

Remind pupils that area is found by multiplying two perpendicular lengths from the shape and in some cases a coefficient (half for a triangle, pi for a circle). Trapeziums use the mean length of the parallel sides (one length).

Encourage discussion about the three methods for finding the area and the potential of a combination of them. Pupils should aim to be confident with all of them so they can utilise the most efficient.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).