Ultimate Guide: How to Calculate the Perimeter of Different Shapes

Perimeter

The perimeter refers to the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional shape

The perimeter refers to the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional shape. It is the sum of all the side lengths of the shape.

To find the perimeter of a shape, you need to know the lengths of its sides.

Let’s consider a few simple examples:

Example 1: Perimeter of a rectangle
A rectangle has two pairs of equal sides. Let’s say the length of the rectangle is L and the width is W.

The formula to calculate the perimeter of a rectangle is:

P = 2L + 2W

So, the perimeter is the sum of twice the length and twice the width.

Example 2: Perimeter of a square
A square is a special case of a rectangle where all sides are equal. Let’s say the length of one side of the square is S.

The formula to calculate the perimeter of a square is:

P = 4S

So, the perimeter of a square is four times the length of one side.

Example 3: Perimeter of a triangle
A triangle has three sides of different lengths. Let’s say the lengths of the sides are A, B, and C.

The formula to calculate the perimeter of a triangle is:

P = A + B + C

So, the perimeter is the sum of all three side lengths.

Example 4: Perimeter of a circle
A circle is a special case where we don’t have straight sides. Instead, we have a curved boundary called the circumference. The formula to calculate the circumference of a circle is:

C = 2πr

where π (pi) is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 3.14, and r is the radius of the circle (the distance from the center to any point on the boundary).

So, the perimeter (circumference) of a circle is equal to twice pi multiplied by the radius.

These are just a few examples to give you an idea of how to find the perimeter of different shapes. Remember, the perimeter is calculated by adding up the lengths of all the sides of a shape.

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