Understanding the Difference Between Area and Perimeter: A guide to the basic concepts and formulas in math.

Area vs perimeter

Let’s start by understanding what area and perimeter mean

Let’s start by understanding what area and perimeter mean.

Area:

The area of a shape is the measure of the size of the surface inside the shape. It is a two-dimensional measurement and is typically expressed in square units. For example, square centimeters (cm²), square inches (in²), or square meters (m²). The formula to calculate the area of different shapes can vary depending on the shape itself.

Perimeter:

The perimeter of a shape is the measure of the total length of the boundary or the distance around the shape. It is also a two-dimensional measurement but only considers the outer length of the shape. The unit of measurement for perimeter is typically the same as the unit for the sides of the shape, such as centimeters (cm) or meters (m).

Let’s compare the two by using a rectangle as an example:

Suppose we have a rectangle with length ‘L’ and width ‘W’.

To find the area of the rectangle, we use the formula:

Area = Length x Width

So, if the length of the rectangle is 5 cm and the width is 3 cm, the area would be:

Area = 5 cm x 3 cm = 15 cm²

This means the surface area inside the rectangle would be 15 square centimeters.

To find the perimeter of the rectangle, we use the formula:

Perimeter = 2 x (Length + Width)

Using the same values as above:

Perimeter = 2 x (5 cm + 3 cm) = 2 x 8 cm = 16 cm

So, the perimeter of the rectangle would be 16 centimeters.

From this example, you can see that while the area represents the space inside the shape, the perimeter represents the total length around the shape.

In general, area is a measure of the surface enclosed by a shape, while perimeter is a measure of the distance around the shape.

More Answers: