Coconut Farm — Understanding Area and Patterns on a Grid
A coconut farm is divided into equal square plots. By counting these plots we can find how much space is used. This chapter uses the idea of a unit square to measure area.
What is Area?
Area is the amount of surface covered by a shape. We measure area by counting the number of unit squares that fit inside the shape.
If one small square on a grid = 1 square unit, then a rectangle that covers 3 rows of 4 squares has area = 3 x 4 = 12 square units.
Key Formula
Area of a rectangle = length x breadth
For example, a farm plot 6 m long and 4 m wide has area = 6 x 4 = 24 square metres.
Reading a Grid Map
Farmers sometimes draw their land on squared paper. Each square may stand for 1 m x 1 m = 1 sq m, or any agreed unit. Count full squares first, then half-squares (two half-squares = 1 square unit).
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A rectangular coconut field is 8 m long and 5 m wide. Find its area.
Area = 8 x 5 = 40 sq m
A farmer divides a 30 sq m plot into equal rows each 5 m wide. How many rows?
Number of rows = 30 / 5 = 6 rows
On a grid, Anu counts 14 full squares and 4 half-squares inside an irregular plot. What is its area?
Area = 14 + (4/2) = 14 + 2 = 16 square units
Two square plots each of side 4 m are joined side by side. What is the total area?
Area of one square = 4 x 4 = 16 sq m. Total = 16 + 16 = 32 sq m
A coconut tree needs a 2 m x 2 m space. How many trees can be planted in a 40 sq m plot?
Space per tree = 4 sq m. Trees = 40 / 4 = 10 trees
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to use the same units for both length and breadth before multiplying.
- Counting only full squares and ignoring half-squares in irregular shapes.
Summary
Area = length x breadth for rectangles. On a grid, count full squares + half the half-squares. Always state the unit (sq m, sq cm, etc.).