geometry · Year 4 · AC9M4SP01
Composite shapes made from familiar shapes
A composite shape is made by putting familiar shapes together, such as squares, triangles, rectangles and semicircles. To describe one, look for the pieces. Count one kind at a time and tick each piece so none is missed. Shapes can be made from other shapes: two triangles can make a square. A rectangle that is 3 squares wide and 2 high is made of 2 rows of 3 squares, so it is covered by 6 squares.
Sample questions
This shape is made from triangles that are all the same size. How many triangles make the shape?
- Count every triangle, the ones pointing up and the ones pointing down.
- Counting the triangles one by one gives 9.
- 9 triangles make the shape.
Answer: 9
This shape is made from triangles that are all the same size. How many triangles make the shape?
- Count every triangle, the ones pointing up and the ones pointing down.
- Counting the triangles one by one gives 10.
- 10 triangles make the shape.
Answer: 10
This shape is made from triangles that are all the same size. How many triangles make the shape?
- Count every triangle, the ones pointing up and the ones pointing down.
- Counting the triangles one by one gives 3.
- 3 triangles make the shape.
Answer: 3