Area is measured in square units. This means that if we divide the shape into squares that are equal in size and count them up, the area is the total number of squares. Square units are always one unit of length long and one unit of length wide. In the song, the unit of length we use is feet. So each square unit is one foot long and one foot wide, or one square foot. Since there are 72 of these units in total, we say the area is 72 square feet. Square units can use other units of length, like inches or miles. Make sure you know what unit of length you’re using.
Jason is finding the area of a rectangle that is 7 inches long and 4 inches wide. Jason says the area of the rectangle is 28 inches. Is Jason correct or incorrect?
A: Jason is correct because 7 x 4 = 28. B: Jason is incorrect because the area is 28 square inches. C: Jason is incorrect because 7 + 4 = 11. D: Jason is incorrect because the area is 28 square feet.
