Year 10 - Maths
Checking and securing understanding of area for compound shapes
2D and 3D shape: compound shapes
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, knowledge of circles and polygons is drawn upon to find the arc length and area of a circle sector and areas of complex compound shapes.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to calculate the area of compound shapes made from rectangles, triangles, parallelograms and trapeziums efficiently.
Key Notes
- 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.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may multiply all given lengths.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
There are multiple ways to find the area of compound shapes. The most efficient method may depend on the features of the shape.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Area'
The area is the size of the surface and states the number of unit squares needed to completely cover that surface. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may multiply all given lengths. Correction: 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).
More Lessons In This Unit
- Area of a sector Study Guide
- Area of compound shapes Study Guide
- Calculating arc length Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of area for standard shapes Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of circles Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of converting between metric and imperial measures Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of perimeter for compound shapes Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of perimeter for standard shapes Study Guide
- Checking and securing understanding of scales and conversion Study Guide
- Equations from complex shapes Study Guide
- Perimeter and area in a contextual setting Study Guide
- Problem solving with 2D shapes Study Guide
- Problem solving with complex 2D shapes Study Guide
- Shapes on coordinate grids Study Guide
- Shapes within shapes Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Maths guide library.