Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Area and Perimeter: Exam Questions & Answers

Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Area and Perimeter: Exam Questions and Answers

Area and Perimeter questions with full solutions for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1), Higher tier. Read the 3 worked examples first, then cover each solution and redo it yourself.

3 worked examples

Higher tier · calculator allowed

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Question 2 of 5
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Question 5 of 5

Start with one question on area of a triangle. Stuck? Take a hint. No sign-in needed.

Find the area of a triangle with sides

6

cm and

9

cm and an angle of

40^{\circ}

between them.

Choose your answer · keys 1–4

27.0 cm²

20.7 cm²

17.4 cm²

34.7 cm²

What this topic covers

Perimeter, area & volume: Calculating perimeter, area and volume of common 2D and 3D shapes.
Perimeter and Area 1: Perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles, trapezia.
Perimeter and Area 2: Compound shapes and shaded regions.

Area and Perimeter worked examples

Worked example 1: Area of a trapezium

A trapezium has parallel sides 5 cm and 9 cm and height 4 cm. Find its area.

Solution

Use $A = \frac{1}{2} (a + b) h$ .
$A = \frac{1}{2} \times (5 + 9) \times 4 = 28$ .

3 steps

Tip: The height must be perpendicular to the parallel sides.

Worked example 2: Area of a parallelogram

A parallelogram has base 12 cm and perpendicular height 7 cm. Find its area.

Parallelogram with base 12 cm and perpendicular height 7 cm

Solution

$A = base \times perpendicular height$ .
$12 \times 7 = 84$ cm².

3 steps

Tip: Do not use the sloping side.

Worked example 3: Compound shape

An L-shape is a 10 cm by 8 cm rectangle with a 4 cm by 3 cm rectangle cut from one corner. Find its area.

L-shape: a 10 cm by 8 cm rectangle with a 4 cm by 3 cm rectangle (dashed) cut from one corner

Solution

Large rectangle: $10 \times 8 = 80$ .
Subtract the corner: $4 \times 3 = 12$ .
$80 - 12 = 68$ cm².

4 steps

Tip: Splitting into two rectangles gives the same answer.

Every question and worked example here is original, written for IGCSE Math Revision rather than copied from Pearson papers, and each answer was re-solved independently before publishing.

Questions students ask

Which Edexcel IGCSE Maths papers test area and perimeter?

Either Higher tier paper, 1H or 2H, can test area and perimeter: both cover the whole Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1) specification and both allow a calculator. Show your method, because most marks are for working.

Where can I practise more area and perimeter questions?

In the IGCSE student hub: Unit 5 (Geometry) has more exam-style questions on this topic, each with a mark scheme. Practice starts with a 7-day free trial; the worked examples and questions on this page are free.

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Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Area and Perimeter: Exam Questions and Answers

Try it first

What this topic covers

Area and Perimeter worked examples

Worked example 1: Area of a trapezium

Solution

Worked example 2: Area of a parallelogram

Solution

Worked example 3: Compound shape

Solution

Revise area and perimeter for the exam

Questions students ask

Practise area and perimeter with your progress saved

More Unit 5 topics: Geometry