Find the Area of a Square
Finding the area of a square is easy as long as you know the length of its side, perimeter, or diagonal. Here's how to do it.
Contents
Steps
Using the Length of a Side
- Write it down. Let's say you're working with a square with a side length of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Write it down.
- Understand the formula for the area of a square(Area=side^2). Since all squares have equal length sides, you can just multiply the distance by itself. If the length of a side of a square is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, then you just have to square {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} to find the area of a square. {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} = 9 cm2.
- Don't forget to state your answer in square units. You're done.
- Squaring the side of a square is the same thing as multiplying the square's height times its base.
Using a Known Diagonal
- Take the measurement of the length of the diagonal of the square.
- Multiply the length of this diagonals measurement by itself. Square the length of the diagonal. Let's say you're working with a square with a diagonal that is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long. Now, square this number. {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} = 25 cm2.
Using a Known Perimeter
- Multiply the perimeter by 1/4 to find the length of a side. This is the same as dividing the perimeter by 4. Since there are four sides to a square and each side is of equal length, you can find the length of a square just by dividing the perimeter by 4. Let's say the perimeter of the square you're working with is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Just multiply {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} by 1/4: {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x 1/4 = {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. You know that the length of a side of the square is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
- Multiply the length of the side by itself. Square the length of the side. Now that you know that the length of a side is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, you can square it to get the area of the square. Area = (5 cm)2 = {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.2