- Definition
An area model uses a drawing of a rectangle to help understand math problems, especially multiplication. For example, to multiply two numbers, you can draw a rectangle where the sides are those numbers, and the space inside the rectangle shows the answer.
To solve 26 × 14, you can draw a rectangle, label one side 20 + 6 and the other 10 + 4, then find the area of the four smaller boxes inside.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An area model is like a chocolate bar that you break into smaller rectangular pieces to make it easier to see the total size.
Ask your child: How could we break this big rectangle into smaller, friendlier rectangles?
Common mix-up: Kids may think they just add the numbers on the outside of the box. The area model works by multiplying the length and width of each smaller rectangle, then adding those areas together.
Examples
- Breaking 35 x 12 into four smaller problems: 30x10, 30x2, 5x10, and 5x2.
- Using a rectangle to show that 4 x (10 + 3) is the same as (4 x 10) + (4 x 3).
area model is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
