Basic Geometry : How to find the area of a rectangle

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Basic Geometry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

A rectangle has a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 40\; m\). The length is ten meters more than the width. What is the area of the rectangle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 75\; m^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 120\; m^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 60\; m^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 150\; m^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 80\; m^{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 75\; m^{2}\)

Explanation:

Given a rectangle, the general equation for the perimeter is \(\displaystyle P = 2l + 2w\) and area is \(\displaystyle A = lw\) where \(\displaystyle l\) is the length and \(\displaystyle w\) is the width.

Let \(\displaystyle x\) = width and \(\displaystyle x + 10\) = length

So the equation to solve becomes \(\displaystyle 40 = 2x + 2(x+10)\) so \(\displaystyle x = 5\) thus the width is \(\displaystyle 5\; m\) and the length is \(\displaystyle 15\; m\).

Thus the area is \(\displaystyle 5\cdot 15= 75 \; m^{2}\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

Which of the following information would not be sufficient to find the area of a rectangle?

Possible Answers:

The lengths of one pair of adjacent sides.

The lengths of one side and a diagonal.

All of the other choices list information that would be sufficient.

The lengths of one pair of opposite sides.

The perimeter and the length of one side.

Correct answer:

The lengths of one pair of opposite sides.

Explanation:

The area of a rectangle can be calculated by multiplying the lengths of two adjacent sides. All of the choices given lists sufficient information, with one exception. We examine each of the choices.

The lengths of one pair of adjacent sides: This choice is false, as is directly stated above.

The perimeter and the length of one side: Using the perimeter formula, you can find the length of an adjacent side, making this choice false.

The lengths of one side and a diagonal: using the Pythagorean Theorem, you can find the length of an adjacent side, making this choice false.

The lengths of one pair of opposite sides: this gives you no way of knowing the lengths of the adjacent sides. This is the correct choice.

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

Figure3

Find the area of the polygon.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 200\)

\(\displaystyle 175\)

\(\displaystyle 165\)

\(\displaystyle 180\)

\(\displaystyle 160\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 180\)

Explanation:

Drawing a vertical line at the end of the side of length \(\displaystyle 20\) divides the shape into a rectangle and a right triangle.

Figure5

The sum of the areas of the two shapes is the area of the polygon. Multiply the length of the rectangle by its width to find the area of the rectangle, and use the formula \(\displaystyle A = \frac{1}{2}bh\), where \(\displaystyle b\) is the base and \(\displaystyle h\) is the height of the triangle, to find the area of the triangle. Adding them together gives the answer.

\(\displaystyle A_{total}=A_{rec}+A_{tri}\)

\(\displaystyle A_{total}=(8*20)+\frac{1}{2}(5*8)\)

\(\displaystyle A = 180\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

One side of a rectangle is 7 inches and another is 9 inches.  What is the area of the rectangle in inches?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 49\)

\(\displaystyle 63\)

\(\displaystyle 81\)

\(\displaystyle 16\)

\(\displaystyle 32\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 63\)

Explanation:

To find the area of a rectangle, multiply its width by its height. If we know two sides of the rectangle that are different lengths, then we have both the height and the width.

\(\displaystyle 9\cdot 7=63\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

Screen_shot_2013-09-16_at_11.28.29_am

What is the area of the rectangle in the diagram?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 144\ cm^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 84\ cm^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 90\ cm^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 49\ cm^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 19\ cm^{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 84\ cm^{2}\)

Explanation:

The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying the length by the width.

\(\displaystyle Area=l(w)\)

The length is 12 cm and the width is 7 cm.

\(\displaystyle 12\cdot 7=84\)

Therefore the area is 84 cm2.

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

What is the area of a rectangle whose length and width is \(\displaystyle 14\) inches and \(\displaystyle 18\) inches, respectively?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 128\, in^2\)

\(\displaystyle 148\, in^2\)

\(\displaystyle 64\, in^2\)

\(\displaystyle 252\,in^2\)

\(\displaystyle 220\, in^2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 252\,in^2\)

Explanation:

The area of any rectangle with length, \(\displaystyle l\) and width, \(\displaystyle w\) is:

\(\displaystyle A=l\times w\)

\(\displaystyle A=14\times 18\)

\(\displaystyle A=252\, in^2\)

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

What is the area of a rectangle that has a length of \(\displaystyle 2\) and a width of \(\displaystyle 20\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 40\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 80\)

\(\displaystyle 22\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 40\)

Explanation:

Recall how to find the area of a rectangle:

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=\text{length}\times\text{width}\)

Now, plug in the given length and width to find the area.

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=2 \times 20=40\)

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

What is the area of a rectangle that has a length of \(\displaystyle 12\) and a width of \(\displaystyle 10\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 130\)

\(\displaystyle 120\)

\(\displaystyle 22\)

\(\displaystyle 60\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 120\)

Explanation:

Recall how to find the area of a rectangle:

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=\text{length}\times\text{width}\)

Now, plug in the given length and width to find the area.

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=12 \times 10= 120\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

What is the area of a rectangle that has a length of \(\displaystyle 8\) and a width of \(\displaystyle 30\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 360\)

\(\displaystyle 120\)

\(\displaystyle 240\)

\(\displaystyle 38\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 240\)

Explanation:

Recall how to find the area of a rectangle:

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=\text{length}\times\text{width}\)

Now, plug in the given length and width to find the area.

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=8 \times 30= 240\)

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Area Of A Rectangle

What is the area of a rectangle that has a length of \(\displaystyle 100\) and a width of \(\displaystyle 4\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 400\)

\(\displaystyle 200\)

\(\displaystyle 104\)

\(\displaystyle 600\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 400\)

Explanation:

Recall how to find the area of a rectangle:

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=\text{length}\times\text{width}\)

Now, plug in the given length and width to find the area.

\(\displaystyle \text{Area}=100 \times 4= 400\)

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