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Area of rectangle 14 by 10 with a circle diameter 6 cut out

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Composite shapes · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: find the area of this shape: a 14 by 10 rectangle with a circle of diameter 6 cut out.

1 The whole and the hole

The whole shape would be a 14 by 10 rectangle.

A circle is cut out.

That part is not there any more.

So we take it away.

2 Area of each part

The whole rectangle: length times width.

14 times 10 is 140.

whole = 14 × 10 = 140

The radius is half of the diameter: 6 divided by 2 is 3.

r = 62 = 3

The hole is a circle: π times r squared.

hole = π × 32

3² means 3 times 3.

That is 9.

32 = 3 × 3 = 9

π times 9 is written 9π.

hole = 9π

3 Take away the hole

The area is the whole, take away the hole: 140 − 9π.

We keep π in the answer.

That is the exact answer.

A = 140 − 9π

4 About how much

To see about how much, put 3.14 for π.

A ≈ 140 − 9 × 3.14

9 times 3.14 is 28.26.

A ≈ 140 − 28.26

140 minus 28.26 is 111.74.

So the area is about 111.74 square units.

A ≈ 111.74

5 Check

Let's check: put the hole back.

That is about 28.26.

We should get the whole rectangle.

111.74 + 28.26 = 140

We get 140, the whole rectangle.

So the area is right!

Let's look back.

First: the whole and the hole.

Then: area of each part.

Then: take away the hole.

Then: about how much.

Last: check.

Answer
A ≈ 111.74

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the area.
Show the answer
A ≈ 194.86

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