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Grade 1 · lesson 2 of 4

Build a Rectangle from Adjacent Squares

Use the supplied number of equal squares in one straight row.

About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice

Download the grade pack

Supplied materials

  • Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
  • Supplied worked-case record: Three equal squares are placed edge to edge in one row.
  • All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.

Learn the idea

Shape pieces can form a new outline when joined along matching full edges. Two matching squares placed side by side make a rectangle. The shared edge is inside the new figure, so it is not part of the outside perimeter. Overlap would change the region being built.

Use the supplied number of equal squares in one straight row. Trace only the outside boundary. Describe its length in square-widths and check that the row has no gaps or overlaps.

Trace only the outside outline of the whole row. Shared joining edges are inside the composite, not new outside sides. Draw identical squares touching along complete vertical edges.

  1. Draw identical squares touching along complete vertical edges.
  2. Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
  3. Use the supplied number of equal squares in one straight row.
  4. Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.
Worked example

See the method in action

Three equal squares are placed edge to edge in one row. Their outline is a rectangle three square-widths long and one square-width high. The two joining edges lie inside. The row’s outer shape is not three separate disconnected squares. Trace only the outside outline of the whole row. Shared joining edges are inside the composite, not new outside sides. Draw identical squares touching along complete vertical edges.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

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Helpful tips
  • Trace only the outside outline of the whole row.
  • Shared joining edges are inside the composite, not new outside sides.
2 equal squares form one straight row with no gaps. How many square-widths long is the rectangle?

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

2

Each adjacent square adds one square-width to the row length. The result is 2.

Take it further

Make a row of four squares. Expected: a rectangle four square-widths long and one high.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

More practice: try new cases
1. 3 equal squares form one straight row with no gaps. How many square-widths long is the rectangle?
Need a hint?
  • Trace only the outside outline of the whole row.
  • Shared joining edges are inside the composite, not new outside sides.
2. 4 equal squares form one straight row with no gaps. How many square-widths long is the rectangle?
Need a hint?
  • Trace only the outside outline of the whole row.
  • Shared joining edges are inside the composite, not new outside sides.
3. 5 equal squares form one straight row with no gaps. How many square-widths long is the rectangle?
Need a hint?
  • Trace only the outside outline of the whole row.
  • Shared joining edges are inside the composite, not new outside sides.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.