Let's break down exactly what you need to know about the measurement and geometry section of LANTITE. Having helped thousands of students prepare, I've noticed this section often catches people off guard - not because it's particularly difficult, but because they don't know what to expect.
What's Actually on the Test?
Measurement and geometry makes up roughly 25-30% of the numeracy questions. Here's what you'll typically see:
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Area and Perimeter Questions:
Usually involve real-world scenarios like calculating paint needed, flooring costs, or fencing requirements. They love making these practical.
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Volume and Capacity:
Expect questions about containers, tanks, or room dimensions. They often throw in unit conversions to make it interesting.
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Scale Drawings:
These pop up frequently - you might need to work with maps, floor plans, or diagrams. Always check the scale carefully!
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Basic Geometric Properties:
While they won't test complex geometry, you need to know your basic shapes, angles, and properties.
Common Pitfalls (That I See All the Time)
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The Units Trap:
Can't stress this enough - ALWAYS check your units. They love mixing metres with millimeters or square metres with square centimeters. I've seen so many people get tripped up here.
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The "Which Formula?" Mistake:
People often panic and use perimeter formula when they should use area, or vice versa. Take a breath and think: "Am I measuring around something or covering its surface?"
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The Scale Drawing Oversight:
Always, ALWAYS check if you're working with a scale drawing. I've seen people calculate answers that would make a room the size of a football field because they forgot about scale.
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The "Just Calculate" Trap:
Some questions require thinking before calculating. For example, if asked about painting a room, did you remember to subtract windows and doors?
Let's Look at a Real Example
Here's a typical question you might see:
A bedroom wall is 4.2m wide and 2.5m high. If it is going to be covered in wallpaper at a cost of $30 per square metre, how much will the wallpaper cost?
Why this type of question matters:
- Tests area calculation
- Involves currency (they love real-world applications)
- Uses decimal measurements (very common in LANTITE)
How to Tackle It:
- 1. First, recognize this is an area question (we're covering a surface)
- 2. Check the units - everything's in metres, so we're good
- 3. Calculate: 4.2m × 2.5m = 10.5 square metres
- 4. Final step: 10.5m² × $30 = $315.00
Pro Tip:
In the actual test, quickly estimate first: ~4m × 2.5m = 10m² × $30 = $300. This helps catch major errors - if you calculate and get $3,000, you know something's wrong!
Key Takeaways
- Don't overthink it - these questions test basic concepts in practical situations
- Always check units and whether you're dealing with area, perimeter, or volume
- Quick estimation is your friend - it helps catch major mistakes
- Practice with real-world scenarios - that's what LANTITE focuses on
Want to See a More Challenging Example?
Here's a LANTITE Ready-level question:
A rectangular aquarium measures 25m long, 12m wide, and is filled to a depth of 2.35m. Calculate the volume of water it contains in kiloliters (kL).
Why this question is more challenging:
- Involves three-dimensional calculations
- Requires unit awareness (cubic meters to kiloliters)
- Uses decimal measurements
- Tests real-world application understanding
Solution Approach:
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1
Identify the formula needed:
Volume = length × width × height (depth)
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2
Check units:
Everything is in meters, and we need kiloliters (fortunately, 1 cubic meter = 1 kiloliter)
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3
Calculate:
25m × 12m × 2.35m = 705 cubic meters = 705 kiloliters
Pro Tips for Complex Questions:
- Quick estimate: 25 × 12 = 300, × 2 = 600 kL (helps verify our answer is reasonable)
- Write down each step - don't try to do it all in your head
- Remember that volume questions often involve unit conversions - watch for this!
Want More Practice?
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