Converting units of area

The unit conversions for length can be used to calculate areas in different units.

The two squares have the same area.

Square 1

Area = \(1~\text{m} \times 1~\text{m}\)

Area = 1 m²

Square 2

Area = \(100~\text{cm} \times 100~\text{cm}\)

Area = 10,000 cm²

Since Square 1 and Square 2 have the same area, 1 m² = 10,000 cm²

Use the same method to convert cm² into mm².

Square 3

Area = \(1~\text{cm} \times 1~\text{cm}\)

Area = 1 cm²

Square 4

Area = \(10~\text{mm} \times 10~\text{mm}\)

Area = 100 mm²

Since Square 3 and Square 4 have the same area, 1 cm² = 100 mm²

Convert 5.2 m² into cm².

1 m² = 100 cm x 100 cm = 10,000 cm²

\(5.2 \times 10,000 = 52,000~\text{cm}^\text{2}\)

More guides on this topic