11+ Maths: Properties of Shapes Practice
21 October 2026
Understanding properties of shapes
Knowing the properties of shapes is essential for 11+ Maths. Questions often ask about sides, angles, parallel lines or symmetry. Children need to recognise these facts quickly and use them to solve problems.
Why angle sums matter
Many 11+ questions ask for missing angles in triangles or quadrilaterals. Remember, the angles in a triangle always add up to 180°, and in a quadrilateral they add up to 360°.
Worked example: finding an unknown angle in a quadrilateral
Suppose a quadrilateral has angles of 90°, 85°, 95° and x.
Step 1: The sum of angles in a quadrilateral is 360°.
Step 2: Add the known angles: 90 + 85 + 95 = 270.
Step 3: Set up the equation for the unknown angle: 270 + x = 360.
Step 4: Rearrange to find x: x = 360 - 270.
Step 5: Calculate x: x = 90.
The correct answer is 90.
Encouraging practice
Regular practice with these types of questions helps children become confident in spotting properties and applying them. Encourage your child to write out each step clearly.
Key insight: Learning the angle sums for triangles and quadrilaterals is a vital skill for 11+ Maths. It allows children to solve a wide range of shape questions with confidence.
