Final answer:
To calculate the area of a figure, use the appropriate geometric formulas and remember to express the final area to the correct number of significant figures, making sure all units are consistent and presented in square meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the area of a figure, you often apply formulas for geometric shapes like rectangles and triangles. For a rectangle, the area is found by multiplying the length by the width. For a triangle, it is ½ base times height.
In some cases, you might calculate the area of a circle using the formula A = πr², where r is the radius. When converting units, such as from centimeters to meters, remember that conversion factors like 1m = 100 cm do not affect the determination of significant figures. Nevertheless, the final area should be expressed to the correct number of significant figures based on the given measurements. For instance, if a radius is 1.2 m to two significant figures, the area calculated using πr² would be rounded to two significant figures as well.
If you are given a more complex figure, you might need to decompose it into simpler shapes, calculate the area for each, and then add them up. Always ensure units are consistent and express your final answer in square meters.
The area of the rectangle is A = lw, and the area of the triangle is A = 0.5bh. Add these two areas together to get the total area of the figure.