!!!Medal will be given if you help!!!

Describe a method you can use to find the area of the following shape. Provide specific details in your answer, including coordinates and descriptions of shapes used. Then, find the actual area of the figure.

Question

!!!Medal will be given if you help!!! 

Describe a method you can use to find the area of the following shape. Provide specific details in your answer, including coordinates and descriptions of shapes used. Then, find the actual area of the figure.

anonymous · Answer

attachment

nikato · Answer

Any ideas?

anonymous · Answer

I mean I could try dividing it, into smaller simpler shapes but that looks like it wouldn't work.

anonymous · Answer

:(

ranga · Answer

Split it into rectangles and triangles.

kc_kennylau · Answer

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ranga · Answer

or even a trapezoid.

kc_kennylau · Answer

rectangle + triangle - triangle - triangle

anonymous · Answer

So wait, how would I actually get to doing that? and why are you subtracting triangles?

kc_kennylau · Answer

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kc_kennylau · Answer

ABCDEF = BXYZ + CXD - EFY - FAZ

anonymous · Answer

So I would have to go and find the distance of EVERY shape I use and then find the area?

kc_kennylau · Answer

Shapes don't have a distance; what do you mean?

anonymous · Answer

fsajsfasjfas :s I'm sorry for sounding so stupid >.<

anonymous · Answer

and they're on a coordinate grid aren't they? wouldn't I have to use the distance formula to actually find the numbers so i can find the area? because I need to solve the problem

ranga · Answer

You can simply count the squares or read the numbers along the x and y axes.

anonymous · Answer

are you sure ranga?

kc_kennylau · Answer

Well do you remember the formula for the area of a triangle?

ranga · Answer

Yes.  For example, the rectangle BXYZ is 11 units along the x-axis and 5 units along the y axis and so its area is 55.
For each triangle you just need the base and the height to calculate its area.

anonymous · Answer

okay, but what would be the measurement for BAF?  I can't count diagonal lines like that can I?

anonymous · Answer

err EAF sorry

ranga · Answer

You don't need EAF.  Look at kc_kennylau's formula above for finding the area of interest.

ranga · Answer

ABCDEF = BXYZ + CXD - EFY - FAZ

kc_kennylau · Answer

We're using subtraction instead of addition here

kc_kennylau · Answer

Well you can use addition

kc_kennylau · Answer

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kc_kennylau · Answer

Wait no we can't use addition; EA is not vertical

anonymous · Answer

yeah see? thats what I was saying :(

kc_kennylau · Answer

So don't use addition

kc_kennylau · Answer

ABCDEF = BXYZ + CXD - EFY - FAZ

anonymous · Answer

I'm sorry I really hope i'm not frustrating you guys, math doesn't come easy to me at all :(

anonymous · Answer

so ABCDEF = BXYZ (which Ranga said is 11) + CXD - EFY - FAZ? and thats how i would get the area?

kc_kennylau · Answer

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