Name

Date

Decomposing Polygons to Find Area

Directions: Decompose each polygon into rectangles and triangles to find the area.
1. Section the shape into rectangles and/or triangles.
2. Find the area of each rectangle and triangle.
3. Find the total area of the polygon.
6 cm
1.
Work Space
2.
Work Space
5 cm

6 cm

6 cm

4 cm

7 cm
6 cm

Section into rectangles or

triangles.

Work Space

8 in

4.

5 in

4 in

Section into rectangles or

rectangles

4 in

8 in

11 in

Total Area=

3 in

6 in

4 in

3.

Total Area=

Section into rectangles or

triangles.

6 in

Total Area=

4 in

5. Create your own polygon. You will need

to be able to divide your polygon into at
least 3 triangles and/or rectangles. Solve.

Section into rectangles or triangles.

Total Area=

Total Area=

Work Space

Key- One possible solution is given. However students may solve each problem in various
ways.

Decomposing Polygons to Find Area

Directions: Decompose each polygon into rectangles and triangles to find the area.
1. Section the shape into rectangles and/or triangles.
2. Find the area of each triangle and rectangle.
3. Find the total area of the polygon.
6 cm
1.
Work Space
2.
Work Space
6cm x 6cm= 36cm2

4 cm
1

6 cm

6 cm

5 cm

4cm * 5cm
= 10 cm2
2

6cm x 6cm= 36cm2

2

7 cm

36cm + 36cm =72cm

6 cm

7cm* 5 cm= 35 cm2

3

Work Space
2

11 in

Section into rectangles or

triangles.

3 in

8in * 4in= 32in2

1
3

6in * (11in 8in )

=
2
6in * 3in
= 9in2
2
2

Total Area= 10 cm2 +

35 cm2 + 10 cm2 =
3500cm2

4 in

4.

8 in

8 in
6 in

4 in

3.

Section into rectangles or

triangles.

Total Area=72cm2

32in + 9in =41in

5 in

4 in

Section into rectangles or

triangles.

4cm * 5cm
= 10 cm2
2

4 in

6 in

Section into rectangles or triangles.

Total Area= 41in2

Work Space
4

6in 4in
2

6in * 8in= 48in2

= 12in2

4in 3in
= 6in2
2

(4in)2= 16in2

(4in

5in ) (8in
2

4in )

9in 4in
2

= 18in2

Total Area= 48in2+6in2+18in2+12in2+16in2=100in2