Composite areaSides to 20
Name: Date:
Find the area of each figure. All lengths are in centimeters.
1 cm²
2 cm²
3 cm²
4 cm²
5 cm²
6 cm²
Area of composite figures worksheets
A composite figure has no formula of its own, and that is the point. These free printable worksheets show an L-shape with all six sides labeled and leave the method to the child.
If they get stuck
Area of composite figures
The answer key prints on a separate page.
What's on this sheet
There are two good roads. Split the L into two rectangles and add them, or take the whole rectangle and subtract the bite out of the corner. Both are correct, both are worth knowing, and a child who can do one and check with the other has understood something a single formula could never teach.
Why this sheet works
All six sides carry numbers, so neither method needs a measurement that is not on the page. The answer key shows the whole-less-the-bite working, which is the version a parent can check at a glance.
How this one works
Area of a 5 by 15 L-shape
- First way: pretend the bite was never taken. The whole rectangle would be 5 × 15 = 75.
- Then take the bite off. It is 3 × 11 = 33, so the L is 75 − 33 = 42 square cm.
- Second way, and it works on any of these: cut the L into two rectangles.
- The bottom strip is 5 × 4 = 20, and the piece standing on it is 2 × 11 = 22.
- 20 + 22 = 42 square cm — the same answer as the first way. Two methods that agree is how you know the answer is right.