Appropriate area units

Lesson

What is area?

When we have a 2D shape, the amount of space it takes up is the area of that shape. When we looked at choosing an appropriate unit of measurement for length, we thought about how long something was. With area, it's quite similar. Choosing the appropriate unit of measurement can mean things make more sense, so let's see how to do this in the video.

Worked examples

Question 1

It is most appropriate to use square metres (m²) to measure the area of:

Your classroom
A
Australia
B
A matchbox
C
An exercise book
D

Question 2

It is most appropriate to use square centimetres (cm²) to measure the area of:

Your street
A
A school playground
B
Your pencil case
C
Japan
D

Question 3

It is most appropriate to use square kilometres (km²) to measure the area of:

a matchbox.
A
a city.
B
a television.
C
your kitchen.
D

Remember!

Sometimes, it might be that two different units of measurement are appropriate. In that case, you can choose which one to use. The area of some insects, for example, could be measured with mm² or cm².