Compound Shapes: How to Find the Area of an L-Shape

It must be the length and width of the rectangle (these are the two side lengths which make the rectangle).

Once you have calculated the cross-sectional area of the prism, multiply the answer by the length of the prism.

So for example, if the cross-sectional area of the L shape was 50 cm^2 and the length 3cm, then the volume of the L shape would be 150 cm^3 (50 multiplied by 3).

You multiply the two side lengths of each rectangle together (Base multiplied by Height).

Work out the area of the inner and outer rectangles, and then find the difference between these area.

Assuming that the frame is rectangular.

Other shapes can be split into rectangles too. T and H shapes are also common exam questions.

You can split the compound shape up either way.

Both ways will result in the correct area.

It can be horizontal or vertical, as long as it makes two rectangles.

If the length your finding is longer than the two other sides then add them, if not subtract them.

Once you have worked out all of the sides lengths, then you can add all these up to give the perimeter of the L shape.

No, it can be other shapes too, such as a T shape, or a H shape.

The perimeter can be found by adding up all the side lengths around the L shape.

I think you mean a shape which can be split into a rectangle (or square) and a semi-circle.

Work out the area of the rectangle using length times width, and work out the area of the semi-circle using 0.5 times Pi times radius squared. Then add these two answers together.

Area helps you work out the space inside a shape.

It can be useful in real life for working out how much carpet you need to fit a floor space, or how much gravel you need to fill a garden.