2D Shapes and PerimeterRelating Perimeter and Area

As students solve problems relating perimeter and area, they begin to see that shapes that have the same perimeter can have different areas. They also see that shapes that have the same areas can have different perimeters.

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Try these activities by entering some correct and incorrect values, to see what students will experience! Click on each of the images below to try it.

It is important that students understand the differences and relationships between area and perimeter. Let’s think through five examples that highlight the difference between the two for students.

1. If we need to know how much carpet to buy to for our living room floor, we would need to find the area perimeter of our living room floor.
2. If we need to know how much ribbon we need to decorate the outside a mirror, we would need to find the perimeter area of the mirror.
3. If we need to know much fencing is needed to surround a field, we would need to find the perimeter area of the field.
4. If we need to determine how much coastline there is of an island, we would need to find the perimeter area of the island.
5. If we need to know how much material is needed to replace the floor of a gym, we would need to find the area perimeter of the gym.

Try it! What are the possible solutions your students might come up with?