Area of rectangle 9 cm by 7 cm with a 3 cm by 2 cm rectangle cut out

Step by step

The question

Question: find the area of this shape: a 9 cm by 7 cm rectangle with a 3 cm by 2 cm hole cut out.

1 The whole and the hole

The whole shape would be a 9 cm by 7 cm rectangle.

A hole 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.

9 times 7 is 63.

The hole is a 3 by 2 rectangle.

3 times 2 is 6.

3 Take away the hole

The area is the whole, take away the hole.

63 minus 6 is 57.

So the area is 57 cm².

4 Check

Let's check: put the hole back.

We should get the whole rectangle.

We get 63, 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.

Last: check.