New
New
Year 5
Explain how to compare the area of different shapes
I can compare the areas of different shapes.
New
New
Year 5
Explain how to compare the area of different shapes
I can compare the areas of different shapes.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The units of counting area must be the same if you want to compare the areas of different shapes.
- The squares used to count the area must be the same size to compare the area of the shapes.
- The shape covering the most squares has the greatest area.
Keywords
Area - The measurement of a flat surface. It measures a 2D space.
Ascending - Items arranged from smallest to largest.
Descending - Items arranged from largest to smallest.
Common misconception
If two shapes share a dimension such as length, they must automatically have the same area.
Print out and enlarge the tasks so the shapes may be cut out and one laid on top of the other so that the difference can be seen.
The final question on the worksheet is very open-ended and allows pupils to explore. To add extra challenge, encourage pupils to draw unusual shapes, for example ones with curved sides or ones which use triangles which do not occupy half a square.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Match the symbols with the correct meanings.
less than
greater than
equal to
Q2.
Which of the following statements are correct?
28 = 2.8
28 > 28
2.8 > 28
Q3.
Order the following numbers so that they are in ascending order.
Q4.
Select all of the sequences that are in descending order.
−2, 0, 5.7, 48.2, 59
1, 3.961, 6.73, 9.2
Q5.
Select all of the statements that are true.
b has an area of 10 square units.
Both shapes are rectilinear.
Q6.
Select all of the statements that are true.
a has an area of 16 square units.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Select all of the items that would have a greater area than the circular clock face.
A 10 p coin.
The stamp on an envelope.
Q2.
Match the words with their correct definitions.
The measurement of a flat surface. It measures a 2D space.
Arranged from smallest to largest.
Arranged from largest to smallest.
A 2D shapes with straight sides and only right angles.
Q3.
Put the following objects in descending order according to their area.
Q4.
Select all of the statements that are true.
The two rectangles have the same area (six square units).
Q5.
Put the following shapes in ascending order according to their area.
Q6.
Tick all the statements that are true.
The area of a > the area of b.
The area of a < the area of b.
It is impossible to compare the shapes because a is not rectilinear.