Area: Count the Squares

Hi! I'm Adam. Today we are finding the area of shapes. Grab a pencil, because we are going to count squares! Area is the amount of flat space inside a shape. To find it, we count the squares inside. Each square is one square unit. This rectangle has ten squares, so its area is ten square units. Now let's try an L-shape. Count row by row, and tick each square so you never count one twice. Two, two, and three. The area is seven square units. Sometimes a shape cuts a square in half. Two halves can be joined to make one whole square. Half plus half makes one! Here is a triangle. It covers six whole squares and four half squares. Four halves make two whole squares. So six plus two makes eight square units. Careful! Area is not the same as perimeter. Perimeter is the distance around the outside edge. Area is the space inside, so we count squares. Now it's your turn! Look at this house shape. Count the whole squares, then join the halves. Pause the video and find its area. Let's check. The bottom has eight whole squares. The roof has two whole squares and four halves. Four halves make two wholes. Eight plus two plus two makes twelve square units! So remember: area is the space inside a shape. Count every square once, and join the halves. Can you find the area of a shape on squared paper?

• Area is the amount of flat space inside a shape.
• 2 + 2 + 3 = 7 square units.
• Half plus half makes one whole square.
• 4 halves make 2 wholes, so 6 + 2 = 8 square units.
• Perimeter is the distance around the edge. Area is the space inside.