Area of compound shapes

​A compound shape is made up of basic shapes put together. You may also hear it called a "composite" or "complex" shape.

How can you find the area of a compound shape? Break it up into pieces!

To find the area of a compound shape, follow these steps:
1. Break the compound shape into basic shapes.
2. Find the area of each basic shape.
3. Add the areas.

Compound shapes made of rectangles

This compound shape is made of two rectangles. Let's follow the steps to find its area!

​First, draw a line to break the compound shape into basic shapes. There is more than one way to do this! Here is one way.

​Then, find the area of each rectangle by multiplying length×width.

​Now, add the areas of the basic shapes.
18+16=34

So, the area of the compound shape is 34 square feet!

​Compound shapes made of rectangles and triangles

This compound shape is made of two rectangles and a triangle. Let's follow the steps to find its area!

​First, draw lines to break the compound shape into basic shapes. There is more than one way to do this! Here is one way.

​Then, find the area of each rectangle by multiplying length×width. Find the area of the triangle by multiplying 1 2 ×base×height. It helps to write in any missing dimensions first.

​Now, add the areas of the basic shapes.
15+54+24=93

So, the area of the compound shape is 93 square feet!