ABSTRACT

Area measurement is the measurement of the amount of space on the surface of an object. The four area equations shown to the left are used frequently in water and wastewater calculations and should be memorized. The area of a triangle is always one-half the area of a rectangle with the same length and width dimensions. The trapezoid area is actually a variation of the rectangle area, and it might be termed an "averaged rectangle." The two length dimensions are added then divided by two to determine the average length dimension. The four variables in the trapezoid equation are area, small base, large base, and height. The easiest way to remember the equation for the area of a circle is to think of the circle as a "square with the corners cut off." The two variables in calculating the area of a circle are area, and diameter.