Shaded Area Between Shapes

Shaded Area Between Shapes

1. Identify the regions
   Find the shape that makes up the whole outer boundary and the shape that is removed from it or placed inside it. The shaded area is usually the part left over after subtracting one area from another.

2. Compute each needed area
   Use the correct area formula for each shape involved. For example, if the figure is made from rectangles, triangles, circles, or combinations of these, calculate each part separately with the given measurements.

3. Subtract to get the shaded region
   If the shaded part is the outside shape minus the inside shape, write:

   shaded area = outer area − inner area

   If the shaded region is a combination of several pieces, add the shaded pieces and subtract any unshaded parts as needed.

4. Simplify your final answer
   Reduce fractions, combine like terms, and write the result in simplest exact form.

5. Check your work
   Make sure the shaded area is smaller than the outer area and that all measurements were used with the correct units squared. A quick sketch can help confirm which part is shaded.