To measure square yards, you need to calculate the area in square feet first and then convert that measurement into square yards.
Understanding Square Yards
A square yard (sq yd or SQYDS) is a unit of area. It represents a square shape that is one yard (3 feet) long on each side. Because one yard is equal to three feet, a one-yard by one-yard square contains 3 feet * 3 feet = 9 square feet.
This relationship is key to converting measurements from square feet to square yards.
Calculating Square Yards
Based on common practice for estimating areas like floor coverings, the calculation is straightforward:
- Measure Length and Width: Measure the length and the width of the area you want to cover in feet.
- Calculate Area in Square Feet: Multiply the measured length by the measured width. This gives you the area in square feet.
- Convert to Square Yards: As the reference states, "To calculate square yards (SQYDS), multiply the length times the width, in feet and divide by 9." You divide the total square footage by 9 because "There are 9 square feet in a square yard."
Step-by-Step Calculation
Here's a simple breakdown:
- Step 1: Measure Length (in feet)
- Step 2: Measure Width (in feet)
- Step 3: Calculate Area in Square Feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
- Step 4: Calculate Area in Square Yards = Area in Square Feet / 9
Formula
The formula derived from the reference is:
$ \text{SQYDS} = \frac{\text{Length (in feet)} \times \text{Width (in feet)}}{9} $
Practical Example
Let's say you need to calculate the square yards of carpet needed for a room that is 15 feet long and 12 feet wide.
- Length: 15 feet
- Width: 12 feet
- Area in Square Feet: $15 \text{ feet} \times 12 \text{ feet} = 180 \text{ square feet}$
- Area in Square Yards: $180 \text{ square feet} / 9 = 20 \text{ square yards}$
So, you would need 20 square yards of carpet.
Calculation Summary
| Measurement | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 15 | feet |
| Width | 12 | feet |
| Area (Square Feet) | 180 | square feet |
| Area (Square Yards) | 20 | square yards |
This method is commonly used for estimating materials like carpets, flooring, or turf. Always remember to measure in feet before dividing by 9 to get the square yard measurement.
