Area - GMAT Math Study Guide

http://www.platinumgmat.com/gmat_study_guide/area

Register Sign In

Table of Contents
1. Area 1. Triangle 2. Circle 3. Square 4. Rectangle 5. Parallelogram 6. Trapezoid 7. Rhombus 2. Types of GMAT Problems
THE WAY IN "
/the-way-in.com

, JD ,BA ,PhD ,MBA

Area
The area of a shape refers to the space contained inside of the lines creating the shape.

Triangle
The area, A, of a triangle can be found using the equation A = .5*B*H where B stands for the base of the triangle and H stands for the height. Any side can be chosen to be the base, but the height is the line that is perpendicular to the base and goes through the opposing vertex. Related Study Guides Triangles

Area = 1/2(Base)(Height) Area = 1/2(B)(H)

1 of 5

4/28/2012 6:47 PM

Area - GMAT Math Study Guide

http://www.platinumgmat.com/gmat_study_guide/area

Circle
In a circle, each point is equidistant from a central point (i.e., the center). The area, A, of a circle can be found using the Related Study Guides

equation A = *R2 where R is the radius of the circle and is pi Circles = 3.1415....

Area = *(radius)2 Area = *R2

Square
In a square: (1) every side is equal (2) the opposing sides are parallel (3) all the angles are 90. The area, A, of a square can be found using the equation A = a2, where a is the length of a side of the square. Notice that the equation for the area of a square is a specific version of the rectangle equation below.

Area = (side)2 Area = a2

Rectangle
In a rectangle: (1) opposing sides of a rectangle are equal and parallel (2) every side is
2 of 5

4/28/2012 6:47 PM

Area - GMAT Math Study Guide

http://www.platinumgmat.com/gmat_study_guide/area

not necessarily equal in length (3) all of the angles are 90. The area, A, of a rectangle can be found using the equation A = l*w. In this case, l stands for the length and w stands for the width. It does not matter which sides are labeled the length or the width.

Area = (length)(width) Area = lw

Parallelogram
In a parallelogram, opposing sides are parallel and equal in length. Opposing angles are equal but not necessarily 90. The area, A, of a parallelogram can be found using the equation A = b*h. In this case, b stands for the base of the parallelogram and h stands for the height. Any side can be chosen to be the base, but the height is the line that is perpendicular to the base and opposing line.

Area = (base)(height) Area = bh

Trapezoid
In a trapezoid, one set of opposing sides is parallel, but not necessarily equal. The area, A, of a trapezoid can be found using the equation A = .5*(a+c)*h. In this case, h stands for the line that is perpendicular to parallel sides a and c.

3 of 5

4/28/2012 6:47 PM

Area - GMAT Math Study Guide

http://www.platinumgmat.com/gmat_study_guide/area

Area = .5*(Base1+Base2)*h Area = .5*(a+c)*h

Rhombus
In a rhombus: (1) all sides are equal in length (2) opposite sides are parallel (3) diagonals bisect each other (4) the intersection of diagonals forms a 90 angle.

Area = .5*(Diagonal1*Diagonal2)

Types of GMAT Problems

1. Calculating the Area of Objects with Objects. If there are multiple shapes within shapes, it is best to determine what areas are solvable with the given information and what pieces are needed in order to solve for the area requested in the problem. It is often possible to determine the area of a large figure by finding the sum of smaller sub-sections. A circle with a radius of 6 has a square inscribed inside of it. What is the area of the black region?

4 of 5

4/28/2012 6:47 PM

Area - GMAT Math Study Guide

http://www.platinumgmat.com/gmat_study_guide/area

A) B) C) D) E)

23 36 63 24 30

31 72 42 16 62

Show Answer Show Explanation

2009 PlatinumPrep, LLC. GMAT is a registered trademark of The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which does not endorse nor is affiliated in any way with the owner of this website or any content contained herein. All content (including practice questions and study guides) is written by PlatinumPrep, LLC not GMAC.

5 of 5

4/28/2012 6:47 PM