Perimeter definition

Definition

Perimeter is a mathematical term that refers to the distance around the boundary of a two-dimensional shape. It is the total length of the outer edges or sides of the shape. The perimeter is calculated by adding the lengths of all the shape's sides. The units used to measure the perimeter depend on the units used to measure the shape's sides. For example, if the sides are measured in centimetres, the perimeter will be measured in centimetres. This article will discuss the perimeter in detail.

Applications of Perimeter

It is a fundamental concept in geometry and has various applications in various fields. Some common applications of the perimeter are:

• Construction : Perimeter is used extensively to calculate the length of materials needed for fencing, paving, or building a foundation for a structure.
• Landscaping : Perimeter determines the length of edging or fencing required for landscaping a garden or lawn.
• Sports: Perimeter is used in sports such as football, basketball, and track and field to measure the length of the playing field or track.
• Architecture: Perimeter is used in architecture to measure the perimeter of a building or room, which is important in determining the amount of material needed for construction and the project's cost.
• Art: The perimeter determines the length of a frame or canvas required for a painting or picture.
• Geography : Perimeter is used in geography to determine the boundary of a country, state, or region.
• Science: A perimeter measures the length of a petri dish or other lab equipment.

Overall, the perimeter is an important concept with many practical applications in various fields.

Perimeter For all Shapes

It is the Sum of the lengths of all the shape's sides. The formula to calculate the perimeter varies depending on the object's shape. Here are some common formulas for finding the perimeter of different shapes:

Square: Perimeter = 4 x Length of one side

Rectangle : Perimeter = 2 x (Length + Width)

Triangle : Perimeter = Sum of all three sides

Circle : Perimeter = 2 x pi x Radius

Regular Polygon: Perimeter = Number of sides x length of one side

It is important to note that the units of measurement used for the length of the sides must be consistent throughout the calculation.

Difference between the Perimeter of a Regular Shape and the Perimeter of an Irregular Shape

The main difference between the perimeter of a regular shape and an irregular shape is that regular shapes have a simpler and more predictable perimeter. In contrast, irregular shapes require more precise measurements and calculations to determine their perimeter accurately.

Difference Between Perimeter and Circumference

Both perimeter and circumference refer to the lengths of boundaries; the perimeter is a general term that applies to any two-dimensional shape, while the circumference is a specific term that only applies to circles.

What is the Difference Between the Perimeter and Area of a 2-D shape?

The perimeter of a 2-D shape refers to the total distance around the boundary or outer edge of the shape. It can be thought of as the length of the shape's outline. The perimeter is measured in linear units, such as centimetres, meters, feet, or inches. On the other hand, the area of a 2-D shape refers to the amount of space enclosed within the shape, which can be considered the size of the shape's surface. The area is measured in square units, such as square centimetres, square meters, square feet, or square inches.

In simple terms, the perimeter measures the length of the shape's boundary, while the area measures the space inside the boundary. For example, the perimeter of a square would be the Sum of all its sides, while its area would be the product of its length and width.

Perimeter Units

Perimeter measures the distance around the edge of a two-dimensional shape. The units used to measure the perimeter will depend on the measurement system (e.g., metric or imperial).

The standard unit for measuring length in the metric system is the meter (m), so the units used to measure the perimeter will also be in meters. For example, the perimeter of a square with sides of a Length of 1 meter would be 4 meters.

In the imperial system, the standard unit for measuring length is the foot (ft), so the units used to measure the perimeter will be in feet. For example, the perimeter of a square with sides of Length 1 foot would be 4 feet.

Other common units for measuring length, such as centimetres (cm) and inches (in), may also be used to measure the perimeter, depending on the situation.

The perimeter of the Isosceles Triangle

An isosceles triangle is a triangle in which two of the three sides have the same length. Let's denote the length of these two equal sides as "a" and the length of the third side as "b".

Therefore, the perimeter P is given by:

P = a + a + b

Simplifying this expression, we get:

P = 2a + b

So, the perimeter of an isosceles triangle equals twice the Length of one of its equal sides plus the Length of its third side.