Calculating the Area and Perimeter of a Composite Figure: Step-by-Step Guide

composite figure

A composite figure is a geometric shape that is made up of two or more simpler shapes

A composite figure is a geometric shape that is made up of two or more simpler shapes. These simpler shapes could be rectangles, triangles, circles, or any other basic geometric shape. When combined, they form a more complex figure.

To find the area and perimeter of a composite figure, you need to break it down into its individual components and calculate the area and perimeter of each part separately, and then add them together.

Let’s take an example of a composite figure made up of a rectangle and a triangle.

Step 1: Break down the figure into its components – rectangle and triangle.

Step 2: Calculate the area and perimeter of each component.

– Rectangle:
To find the area of a rectangle, multiply its length by its width. Let’s say the length of the rectangle is 6 units and the width is 4 units. So, the area of the rectangle is 6 * 4 = 24 square units.

To find the perimeter of a rectangle, add the lengths of all its sides. In this case, the perimeter is 2 * (6 + 4) = 2 * 10 = 20 units.

– Triangle:
To find the area of a triangle, multiply the base by the height and divide the result by 2. Let’s say the base of the triangle is 5 units and the height is 8 units. So, the area of the triangle is (5 * 8) / 2 = 20 square units.

To find the perimeter of a triangle, add the lengths of all its sides. In this case, we need to know the lengths of the other two sides to find the perimeter.

Step 3: Add up the areas and perimeters of all the components.

In our example, the composite figure consists of a rectangle with an area of 24 square units and a perimeter of 20 units, and a triangle with an area of 20 square units. Therefore, the total area of the composite figure is 24 + 20 = 44 square units, and the total perimeter is 20 + (lengths of the other two sides of the triangle) units.

Remember, the process may vary depending on the specific composite figure you are dealing with. It is important to identify the components and apply the appropriate formulas for finding their areas and perimeters.

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