Max Maths, Year 6, Learn together, Areas of compound shapes (1)

In the Max Maths Year 6 curriculum, students are introduced to the concept of finding the area of compound shapes through an engaging example of measuring a work desk. The process begins by identifying the dimensions of the desk's unknown sides. Students use subtraction to find these measurements, with side D being calculated as the difference between sides B and F (3 m - 2 m), resulting in 1 m, and side E as the difference between sides C and A (2 m - 1 m), also yielding 1 m. With these lengths determined, the next step is to deconstruct the complex shape of the desk into more familiar geometric figures.

The desk is cleverly broken down into a rectangle and a square, both of which are simpler shapes that the students can handle with ease. The rectangle is formed by a length of 3 m and a width of 1 m, while the square has equal sides of 1 m. By separating the desk into these two basic shapes, students can apply their knowledge of area calculation to each part individually. The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying its length by its width, and the area of a square is obtained by squaring the length of one of its sides. This methodical approach simplifies the process of finding the area of a compound shape, allowing students to confidently tackle more complex geometrical problems.