Helicopter Showcase

Caleb and his dad are setting up for the Helicopter Showcase! They need to make sure that there is enough room for all of the helicopters and for people to look at the helicopters.

Caleb divides the area of the park into grids. This will allow him to see how much area will be taken up by the helicopters and people.

Let’s remember the formula for finding area. Area is equal to width times length. When you have two areas next to each other, you use the following formula. Area is equal to width times the sum of length one plus length two. This is the same as width times length one plus width times length two.

Caleb needs room for a helicopter that is 3 units by 7 units and a space for people that is 3 units by 2 units. How much area of the park does he need? We know that 3 times 7 is equal to 21 and that 3 times 2 is equal to 6. To find the total area, we add these two products. 21 plus 6 equals 27! Caleb needs a total area of 27 units.

The next helicopter needs an area that is 5 units by 4 units and room for people that is 5 units by 3 units. How much area of the park does Caleb need? We know that 5 times 4 is equal to 20 and that 5 times 3 is equal to 15. To find the total area, we add these two products. 20 plus 15 equals 35! Caleb needs a total area of 35 units.

There are more helicopters to place throughout the park. We will continue to help Caleb and his dad figure out how much area each helicopter needs. If there is a helicopter that needs an area that is 8 units by 3 units and space for people that is 3 units by 5 units, how much space is needed?