The area is defined as the space occupied by a flat shape or the surface of an object. It is calculated in such a way that it is equal to the number of unit squares that cover that surface. The unit of calculation of area is always in square units, such as square meter, square mile, square kilometer, or acres, and hectares which are also square units.
It should be noted that:
- The area of a region remains the same even if the region is rearranged.
- It can be measured in nonstandard or standard units of area.
- The smaller the unit of measure the greater the number of units required for measuring the same area.
- Comparison of the magnitude of the area can only be done when using the same units.
- The standard units of the area include units such as square meter, square mile, square kilometer or acres, and hectares which are also square units.
Units for Calculating Area
- Square Mile (mi): A square mile in simple terms can be defined as the area that is covered by a square that has each side equal to 1 mile. A mile is defined as a distance equal to 5,280 feet or 1760 yards or in SI units 1609 m.
- Hectare (ha): One hectare is simply defined as an area equal to 10,000 square meters. The purpose of having a hectare as a unit is that it is helpful in calculating the area when we are dealing with semi-large magnitudes. For example, for calculating the area of farmland or of a small region we can use hectares.
Thus, for larger calculations such as calculating the area of an entire country we use the square mile whereas the smaller calculations are done by using hectare as a unit.
How to convert from Square Mile To Hectare?
1 mile can be defined as,
1 mi2 = 2.59 × 106 ha
Similarly 1 ha is defined as,
1 ha = 0.00386 mi2
The above-mentioned relation can be used for all types of conversion. The table given below can be used for quick conversions between the two units.
| Area in mile² | Area in hectares |
|
1 |
259 |
|
2 |
518 |
|
3 |
777 |
|
4 |
1036 |
|
5 |
1295 |
|
6 |
1545 |
|
7 |
1813 |
|
8 |
2072 |
|
9 |
2331 |
|
10 |
2590 |
Note – None of the above units are SI units. The SI unit of area is square meter.
Sample Questions
Question 1: The area of India is 1.24 million mile². Find the area of the country in hectares.
Answer:
Since,
1 mi2 = 2.59 × 106 ha
Therefore,
1.24 million mile2 = 2.59 × 106 × 1.24 million hectares
= 32,11,60,000 ha
Question 2: Suppose the area of a place is given as equal to 1236 mile². Find the area in hectares.
Answer:
Since,
1 mi2 = 2.59 × 106 ha
Therefore,
2.59 million mile2 = 2.59 × 106 × 1236 ha
= 32,00,204 ha
Question 3: Consider the area of a small town is given equal to 12 mile². Find the area in hectares.
Answer:
Since,
1 mi2 = 2.59 × 106 ha
Therefore,
12 mile2 = 2.59 × 106 × 12 ha
= 3108 ha
Question 4: Consider the area of a small town is given as equal to 24 mile². Find the area in hectares.
Answer:
Since,
1 mi2 = 2.59 × 106 ha
Therefore,
24 mile2 = 2.59 × 106 × 24 ha
= 6,216 ha
Question 5: The area is given as equal to 215 mile². Find the area in hectares.
Answer:
Since,
1 mi2 = 2.59 × 106 ha
Therefore,
215 mile2 = 2.59 × 106 × 215 ha
= 55,685 ha