Calculate the area other than the area common between two quadrants of circles of radius 16 cm each, which is shown as the shaded region in the figure given.

Basic Mensuration — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Basic Mensuration, a key topic in the Quantitative Aptitude section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

Basic mensuration deals with the perimeter and area of two-dimensional shapes: squares, rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, rhombuses, trapeziums, circles, sectors and rings. Exam questions test direct use of formulas, the effect of changing dimensions (for example, what happens to the area of a circle when its radius increases by 10%), paths running inside or outside a rectangular field, and the cost of fencing, flooring or painting. Knowing the formulas thoroughly is essential, and ratio reasoning makes questions on changing dimensions quick to solve. Remember that when every length is multiplied by k, the area is multiplied by k^2. Heron's formula for a triangle's area from its three sides and the area of an equilateral triangle, (sqrt 3 / 4) a^2, are worth memorising. Three-dimensional solids are covered separately on the Volume & Surface Area page. Practise the mensuration questions below on area and perimeter, each with a step-by-step solution.