Finding the Area of an Irregular Shape

Abstract

Plot the given points. Connect line segments between the points to make an irregular shape (house). Break the irregular shape (house) into smaller shapes that have known area formulas (triangle and rectangle). Calculate the area by hand using known area formulas (triangle and rectangle) then check their work. Apply their knowledge of area and add together the areas of the smaller shapes (triangle and rectangle) to find the total area of the irregular shape (house). Describe in their own words the process of finding the area of an irregular shape and when this process might be used in everyday life.