A centimeter is a unit used to measure the length of an object. For example, a pencil is about 15 centimeters long. The abbreviation for centimeter is “cm.” A square centimeter is a unit used to measure the area of an object, which is the amount needed to cover the surface of an object. The abbreviation for square centimeters is “cm^2,” which is also called centimeters squared. For example, a dollar bill is about 100 square centimeters. Any object’s measurement in centimeters can be converted into its area measurement in centimeters squared.
Determine the formula required to calculate the area of an object to convert the object’s measurement in centimeters to centimeters squared. For example, the formula to calculate the area of a rectangle is length times width. The area of a rectangle that is 1 1/3 centimeters in length and 1 1/2 centimeters in width equals 1 1/3 times 1 1/2.
Convert 1 1/3 and 1 1/2 into improper fractions, which are fractions greater than 1 -- 1 1/3 becomes 4/3 and 1 1/2 becomes 3/2.
Multiply 4/3 by 3/2, which equals 12/6.
Divide 12 by 6 to convert to a whole number. This equals 2 centimeters squared, which is the area of the rectangle.