GeoffsWoodwork

for Students of Woodwork                                          

The area of a plane figure is a measure of the size of it's surface.  Areas are measured in square units, i.e. square mm's, square metres, etc.  To find the area of a plane figure multiply the length (l) by the breadth (b), or width, etc.  You must always use the same units i.e. all mm's or say all metres, etc.   The answer will be 'square mm's' or 'square metres', etc.

Volume. The volume of a solid figure is a measure of the amount of space it occupies.  Volume is measured in cubic units, i.e. cubic mm's, cubic metres, etc.   To find the volume of a  solid figure, first of all calculate the area of the plane figure (as above) and then multiply by it's given length, depth or height, etc.

If you use the little square (2) and cube (3) as short hand for 'square' or 'cubic'  mm, etc. make sure that it follows the unit and not the amount, otherwise it may lead to confusion.

The perimeter of a figure is the distance around it's edge or boundary.  It is measured in linear mm's or metres, etc.

Below is a number of common plane figures.   You are well advised to put these to memory or certainly note for future reference especially the rectangle, the triangle and the circle.  If you have an unusual shape break it down into recognisable and  manageable shapes and solve them separately. Remember; to obtain volume multiply the area by the third dimension.

Pi  ( ) is usually accepted as 3.1416 

If you have difficulty in understanding the above please ask your tutor or trainer to help.

Last uploaded 17 th March 2002
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