Calculating the Area of a Rectangle: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to calculating the area of a rectangle, understanding its basic properties is crucial. A rectangle is a quadrilateral with all right angles, meaning that all its sides are perpendicular to each other. In this article, we will explore the key characteristics of rectangles and provide a step-by-step guide on how to find their area.

Identifying Rectangles

To identify whether a shape is a rectangle or not, there are four essential properties to check:

1. Opposite sides are equal: The opposite sides of a rectangle must be equal in length.

2. Parallel opposite sides: The opposite sides of a rectangle must be parallel to each other.

3. All right angles: All the internal angles of a rectangle must be right angles (90 degrees).

4. Perpendicular sides: The adjacent sides of a rectangle must be perpendicular to each other.

Finding the Area of a Rectangle

Now that we know how to identify rectangles, let's move on to finding their area. The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying its length and width:

Area = Length x Width

For example, if the length of a rectangle is 15 cm and its width is 4 cm, then its area would be:

Area = 15 cm x 4 cm = 60 square centimeters

Example Problems

Let's apply this formula to find the area of two rectangles:

* Example 1: Find the area of a rectangular blackboard whose length and breadth are 120 cm. Using the formula, we get:

Area = Length x Width

= 120 cm x ? (we need to know the width)

* Example 2: Find the area of a rectangle whose length is 8 cm and one of its parallel sides is 3 cm long. In this case, since all opposite sides are equal, we can find the other side by using the formula:

Other side = 3 cm (given) + 3 cm (since opposite sides are equal)

Area = Length x Width

= ? cm x 6 cm

In conclusion, calculating the area of a rectangle is a simple process that requires understanding its basic properties and applying the formula: Area = Length x Width. By following these steps, you can confidently tackle problems involving rectangles and measure their size with ease. Stay tuned for our next article on triangles and circles!

Rectangle area example