This unit of work builds upon calculating the areas of simple plane and composite shapes in Stage 4. Stage 5.1 extends this to calculating the areas of more complex composite figures through their dissection into simple 2D shapes including triangles, special quadrilaterals and sectors of a circle. The concepts relevant to composite figures in the two-dimensional realm are directly linked to the nets of 3D objects. This is then the gateway to calculating the surface area of right prisms including rectangular and triangular prisms. This unit aims to develop students’ skills in visualising physical objects in space as a means for them to gain a better conceptual understanding of area and surface area.
The area of composite shapes and surface area of right prisms hold relevance in the real world particularly in activities that require manipulation in space, such as renovating, landscaping and the construction of physical objects.
A student
Calculate the areas of composite shapes (ACMMG216)
Solve problems involving the surface areas of right prisms (ACMMG218)
Stage 5.1 students are expected to possess the prior understandings and skills covered in previous stages to effectively engage in this unit of work. This includes:
S4 - Area
S4 - Volume
The Area and Surface Area units of Stage 5.2 and 5.3 further explore the methods and understanding involved in calculating the surface area of more complex 3D objects. In S5.2, the idea of composite areas is extended to finding the surface areas of composite solids.
S5.2
S5.3