What is the exam-ready answer?
| Roadmap post | 240 of 500 |
|---|---|
| Official syllabus topic | Property Ownership and Real Estate Calculations: land measurement, area, and acreage |
| Official PSI area | Real Estate Calculations |
| Published weight | 7% of the 100-question national portion |
| Source edition | PSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026 |
| Content checked through | August 2, 2026 |
The Rule
PSI publishes a weight for the complete official area, not a guaranteed count for this individual calculation. Follow the stated facts, units, time basis, and rounding instruction.
Formula and variables
| Symbol or term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Linear units | Feet, yards, or miles used for length and perimeter |
| Square units | Square feet, square yards, or square miles used for area |
| Acre | 43,560 square feet |
Step-by-step method
- Draw the shape and label every dimension with its unit.
- Convert dimensions to the same linear unit before multiplying.
- Choose perimeter, rectangle area, triangle area, or a combination of shapes based on the target.
- Convert square feet to acres only after finding total area.
- Report and round in the unit requested by the question.
Georgia-specific distinction
Worked examples
Example 1: Rectangular parcel to acres
Scenario. A rectangular parcel measures 330 feet by 660 feet.
- Area = 330 x 660 = 217,800 square feet.
- Acres = 217,800 / 43,560 = 5.
Answer. The parcel contains 5 acres.
Reasonableness check. A 660-foot square is 10 acres, so a rectangle half as wide is 5 acres.
Example 2: Triangle plus rectangle
Scenario. A site contains a 200-by-300-foot rectangle plus a right triangle with 100-foot base and 80-foot height.
- Rectangle = 200 x 300 = 60,000 square feet.
- Triangle = 100 x 80 / 2 = 4,000 square feet.
- Total = 64,000 square feet.
- Acres = 64,000 / 43,560 = about 1.47 acres.
Answer. The combined site is about 1.47 acres.
Reasonableness check. The triangle adds only 4,000 square feet, so the total should be only slightly above the rectangle's 1.38 acres.
Common exam traps
- Adding length and width when the question asks for area
- Forgetting to divide triangle base times height by two
- Dividing a linear measurement by 43,560
- Mixing feet and yards before multiplying
Original practice questions with detailed explanations
These original instructional questions map to the July 1, 2026 PSI outline. They are not copied from PSI or any live examination. Write the setup before opening the explanation.
Question 1A lot is 150 feet by 200 feet. What is its area?
- A. 350 square feet
- B. 700 feet
- C. 30,000 square feet
- D. 43,560 square feet
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: C. 30,000 square feet
Rectangle area = 150 x 200 = 30,000 square feet.
Question 2A parcel contains 87,120 square feet. How many acres is that?
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 20
- D. 200
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. 2
$87,120 / 43,560 = 2 acres.
Question 3What is the area of a triangle with a 120-foot base and 50-foot perpendicular height?
- A. 170 square feet
- B. 3,000 square feet
- C. 6,000 square feet
- D. 8,500 square feet
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. 3,000 square feet
Triangle area = 120 x 50 / 2 = 3,000 square feet.
Mastery tracking
Mark this calculation mastered only when every statement is true.
- I distinguish perimeter from area before calculating.
- I convert all dimensions to a common unit.
- I remember 43,560 square feet per acre.
- I can split an irregular diagram into simple shapes.
- I label every final answer with linear, square, or acreage units.
Recommended next lesson
Continue with Appreciation, Depreciation, and Percentage Change. Apply percent relationships to property value changes.
Return to the complete calculation hub, formula sheet, or mixed math drill.