Lesson 2: Area - Area of Squares

   Constructing Knowledge

Recall that the formula for the area of a square is:

Areasquare = side × side
= side2
Asquare = s2

When using a formula to calculate area, follow these basic steps:

  1. State the formula being used to solve the problem.
  2. Substitute known values for the variables.
  3. Solve for the unknown (remember to include proper squared units in your answer).

Remember that with all area calculations, all dimensions must be in the same unit of measure prior to substituting their values into the formula.

   Multimedia

A video demonstrating calculating the area of a square is provided.



EXAMPLE 1


Determine the area of a square whose side lengths are each 240 mm.



Solution


Asquare = s2
= (240 mm)2
= 57 600 mm2

The square's area is 57 600 mm2.

EXAMPLE 2


A square puzzle has the area of 11 025 cm2. Will it fit on a rectangular table measuring 1 m by 2 m?

Solution


To know whether the puzzle will fit on the table, the side lengths of the puzzle need to be determined.

\(\begin{align} \text{A}_{\text{square}}&=s^2 \\ \\ 11 025\,\text{cm}^2&=s^2 \\ \\ \sqrt{11 025\,\text{cm}^2}&=\sqrt{s^2} \\ \\ 105\,\text{cm}&=s \\ \end{align}\)

The puzzle has a side length of 105 cm, or 1.05 m. The puzzle will not fit on the table as the table is only 1 m long.


Now, it is your turn! Complete the questions in your Chapter 7, Lesson 2 Practice Makes Perfect that refer to Area of Squares.



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