Airport maths quest: area

Quick answer

Area is the amount of space inside a shape, and you can find it by counting how many square units fit inside it or by multiplying length by width.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to find the area of rectangles by counting squares or using multiplication.

• You can explain what area means in simple words
• You can count squares to find area
• You can use multiplication to find area quickly
• You can apply area to real-world situations like airport luggage or garden spaces

Why this matters

Knowing about area helps you solve real-life problems like:

• How much carpet you need for your bedroom
• How big your garden is
• How much space your toys take up
• How much luggage you can fit in your suitcase
• How big your airport gate is

Area is used in many jobs like building, gardening, and travel. When you travel to a new country, you might need to know how big your suitcase is to make sure it fits in the plane!

How it works

Area is the amount of space inside a shape. For rectangles, you can find the area in two ways:

1. Counting squares: Put a grid over the shape and count how many small squares fit inside
2. Multiplying length and width: Multiply the long side (length) by the short side (width)

For example, if a rectangle is 5 squares long and 3 squares wide:

• Counting squares: 5 × 3 = 15 squares
• Multiplying: 5 × 3 = 15 square units

Examples you can see

Imagine you are at an airport and need to find the area of different spaces:

Example 1: Airport Gate

Your plane gate is 6 metres long and 4 metres wide.

How big is the gate?

• Counting squares: 6 × 4 = 24 squares
• Multiplying: 6 × 4 = 24 square metres

Example 2: Luggage Space

Your suitcase is 30 cm long and 20 cm wide.

• Counting squares: 30 × 20 = 600 squares
• Multiplying: 30 × 20 = 600 square centimetres

Example 3: Airport Garden

The airport has a garden that is 10 metres long and 5 metres wide.

• Counting squares: 10 × 5 = 50 squares
• Multiplying: 10 × 5 = 50 square metres

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Airport Area Quest

You are an airport explorer! Your mission is to find the area of different spaces at the airport. Here's your quest:

1. First stop: Gate A12 is 8 metres long and 3 metres wide. What is the area?
2. Second stop: The luggage carousel is 12 metres long and 2 metres wide. What is the area?
3. Third stop: The food court is 6 metres long and 5 metres wide. What is the area?
4. Fourth stop: The airport parking lot is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide. What is the area?

How to solve it:

1. First stop: 8 × 3 = 24 square metres
2. Second stop: 12 × 2 = 24 square metres
3. Third stop: 6 × 5 = 30 square metres
4. Fourth stop: 20 × 10 = 200 square metres

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking area is the distance around the shape (that's perimeter).
• Why it happens: Confusing area with perimeter. They are different!
• Fix: Remember: area = length × width. Perimeter = add all sides.

• Mistake: Forgetting to write the unit (like square metres or square centimetres).
• Why it happens: Kids often forget to label their answers.
• Fix: Always write the unit with your answer: 12 square metres or 12 m²

• Mistake: Using the wrong measurements (like using length and height instead of length and width).
• Why it happens: Not paying attention to which sides are length and width.
• Fix: Always check which sides are the long side and which are the short side.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child learn area by:

1. Using real objects: Measure your child's bedroom or a book with a ruler and find the area together
2. Playing games: Use grid paper to draw shapes and count squares
3. Connecting to everyday life: Talk about how big their room or garden is
4. Practising multiplication: Area helps children understand multiplication better
5. Being patient: It's normal to make mistakes when learning new concepts

What to say:

• "Let's count how many squares fit in this shape"
• "What happens when we multiply the length and width?"
• "Can you think of a real place where you might need to know area?"

What not to worry about:

• Your child might mix up area and perimeter at first
• They might forget units
• It's okay to make mistakes - they help you learn!

Practice questions

1. What is the area of a rectangle that is 7 metres long and 4 metres wide?
2. A garden is 10 metres long and 3 metres wide. What is its area?
3. How big is a classroom that is 8 metres long and 5 metres wide?
4. What is the area of a suitcase that is 30 cm long and 20 cm wide?
5. A swimming pool is 15 metres long and 6 metres wide. What is its area?

Answers:

1. 7 × 4 = 28 square metres
2. 10 × 3 = 30 square metres
3. 8 × 5 = 40 square metres
4. 30 × 20 = 600 square centimetres
5. 15 × 6 = 90 square metres

FAQ

What is area?

Area is the amount of space inside a shape. You can think of it like covering a shape with square tiles.

How do I find the area of a rectangle?

Multiply the length by the width. For example, a rectangle that is 5 metres long and 3 metres wide has an area of 5 × 3 = 15 square metres.

What units do I use for area?

Area is always measured in square units. For example: square metres (m²), square centimetres (cm²), or square feet (ft²).

Can I find area by counting squares?

Yes! You can draw a grid over any shape and count how many squares fit inside. This works for any shape, not just rectangles.

Why do I need to know about area?

Area helps you solve real-life problems like how much carpet you need, how big your garden is, or how much space your luggage takes up. It's useful in many jobs and everyday situations!