Problem Solving with Areas (Cambridge O Level Maths)

What do we mean by an awkward shape (a compound shape)?

• Sometimes the shape we want to find the area of isn’t one of the standard shapes in Area – Formulae
• However, the area may be found by using a combination of standard shapes
• These are often called Compound Shapes and you may see Compound Area mentioned too

Finding the area of an awkward shape (compound area)

• When you are asked to find the area of an “awkward” shape, split the shape into standard shapes first, and then add them together

What is problem solving?

Problem solving, as far as GCSE Mathematics is concerned, usually has two key features:

• A question is given as a real-life scenario (eg. Mary is painting a bedroom in her house …)
• There is normally more than one topic of maths you will need in order to answer the question (eg. Area and Percentages)

Problem solving with areas

• Area is a commonly used topic of maths in the real world
• Laying a carpet, painting a house, designing a sports field, building a patio or decking all involve area
• Also, doing each of these things has a cost – so a lot of area problems also involve calculations with money

How to solve problems

• The key to getting started on problem-solving questions is to not focus only on what the question asks you to find out but thinking about what you can do with the information given
• Often this will lead you to think of something else you can do and then eventually you may be able to see your way to answering the original question
• These questions could appear on either a non-calculator paper or calculator paper, depending on how awkward they decide to make the numbers involved!