Topics
10. Measurement
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AustraliaNSW
Stage 2

10.04 Compare areas

Lesson
Practice
Lesson

Are you ready?

Do you remember how to  compare numbers  ?

Examples

Example 1

Write the greater than (\gt) or less than (\lt) symbol in the box to make this number sentence true.

87\, ⬚\, 98

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

We compare the tens first, then the ones.

Apply the idea

The numbers in the place value table are shown:

TensOnes
87
98

87 has a smaller tens value than 98, making it the smaller number.

So the complete number sentence is:87\lt 98

Idea summary

To write statements using the greater than (\gt) or less than (\lt) symbol, the symbol should point towards the smaller number.

Comparing area

This video looks at comparing the areas of shapes.

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Examples

Example 2

Which shape has the smallest area?

A
The image shows an irregular shape. Ask your teacher for more information.
B
The image shows an irregular shape. Ask your teacher for more information.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Choose the shape that takes up less space.

Apply the idea

The shape in option A is taking up less space than the shape in option B.

The shape that has the smallest area is option A.

Idea summary

Area is the amount of space taken up by a shape or object.

Outcomes

MA2-10MG

measures, records, compares and estimates areas using square centimetres and square metres

MA2-15MG

manipulates, identifies and sketches two-dimensional shapes, including special quadrilaterals, and describes their features

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