Perimeter: word problems

Learning Objectives Define perimeter and identify the goal of a perimeter word problem. Extract the side lengths of a polygon from a word problem. Calculate the total perimeter of a polygon by adding all of its side lengths. Solve for a missing side length when the total perimeter and other side lengths are given. Write a number sentence or equation that represents the perimeter of a shape in a word problem. Correctly label their answers with the appropriate units of measurement (e.g., inches, feet, meters). Have you ever wanted to build a fence for a puppy or put a sparkly border around your favorite drawing? 🖼️ That's perimeter! In this lesson, we will learn how to solve word problems about perimeter. Perimeter is the distance all the way around the outside of a shap...

TermDefinitionExample PerimeterThe total distance around the outside of a closed, flat shape. You find it by adding the lengths of all the sides together.If a square has sides that are 2 inches long, its perimeter is 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8 inches. SideOne of the straight lines that forms a polygon.A triangle has 3 sides. A rectangle has 4 sides. PolygonA flat, closed shape made of straight lines.Squares, rectangles, and triangles are all polygons. RectangleA 4-sided polygon where opposite sides are equal in length.A book cover is often a rectangle. The top and bottom sides are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length. SquareA special rectangle where all 4 sides are exactly the same length.A cheese cracker is often a square. If one side is 1 inch long, all four sides ar...

Perimeter of Any Polygon P = \text{side}_1 + \text{side}_2 + \text{side}_3 + \dots To find the perimeter of any shape with straight sides, you just add the length of every single side. Perimeter of a Rectangle P = \text{length} + \text{width} + \text{length} + \text{width} Since the two lengths are equal and the two widths are equal, you add the length and width twice. Perimeter of a Square P = 4 \times \text{side} Since all four sides of a square are the same length, you can multiply the length of one side by 4. You can also add the side to itself 4 times.