The numbers for the area are shown in the upper left corner of the spreadsheet. Students can use the numbers to multiply the dimensions of the rectangle. This dragging technique can also be used to measure the length of the borders. Another option is for the students to use the SUM function to calculate the rows or columns of numbers. This is possible because each cell in the walkway and the border has a 1 in it.
Students can now enter the information from their cells template into the spreadsheet.
Their final spreadsheet should include the unit headings and the data. The following exercises will give students the opportunity to practice finding the area of complex shapes. This will enable you to show students how to derive answers using different solution strategies. Again, students can break the objects into smaller rectangles, calculate the total area and subtract the areas in between, or fill the colored areas with 1's and use the SUM function.