Formula
Area = L x W
L = length
W = width
Example
Area = 90 feet x 50 feet
Area = 4,500 square feet
The following illustration reduces the area to be sodded around the house (A, B, C) and the backyard (D) to rectangles.
Example
Area A = 50' x 10' = 500 sq. ft.; Area B = 30' x 10' = 300 sq. ft.; Area C = 50' x 10' = 500 sq. ft.; Area D = 40' x 30' = 1200 sq. ft.
Sod Needed: A (500 sq. ft.) + B (300 sq. ft.) + C (500sq. ft.) + D (1,200 sq. ft.) = 2,500 sq. ft.
Formula
Area = 0.8 L x W
L = length
W = width at midpoint
Example
Area = 0.8 x 60 feet x 40 feet
Area = 1,920 square feet
(within 5% accuracy)
Formula
Area = πR2
π = 3.14
R = radius
Example
Area = 3.14 x 30 feet x 30 feet
Area = 1,413 square feet
The half circle backyard has a radius of 30 feet. A complete circle would be π 302 or 3.14 x 30 ft. x 30 ft. = 2,826 sq. ft. Half would be 1,413 sq. ft.
Sod Needed: A + B + C (1,300 sq. ft.) + D (1,413 sq. ft.) = 2,713 sq. ft.
Formula
Measure the length of the longest axis across the area. Every 10 feet along the length, measure the width of the area at right angles to the length line. Total all widths and multiply by 10.
Example
Area = 40 feet + 30 feet + 50 feet x 10
Area = 1,200 square feet
Formula
Area = 0.5 x B x H
B = base
H = height
Example
Area = 0.5 x 25 feet x 25 feet = 312.5 square feet x 2
(triangles) = 625 square feet
Area = 625 square feet
Formula
Area = 0.5 x (A + B) x H
A = one parallel side
B = second parallel side
H = height perpendicular to two parallel sides
Example
Area = 0.5 x A + B (100 feet) x H (30 feet)
Area = 1,500 square feet
Sod Needed: A + B + C (1,300 sq. ft.) + D = 2,800 sq. ft.
Formula
Divide area into sections of regular geometric shapes, calculate area of individual sections, then total.
Example
Triangle 0.5 x B (15 feet) x H (30 feet) = 225 square feet
Rectangle 30 feet x 45 feet = 1,350 square feet
Circle π (3.14) x 9 x 9 = 258 square feet / 2 = 127 square feet.
So Needed: 225 sq. ft. + 1,350 sq. ft. + 127 sq. ft. = 1,702 sq. ft.
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