Perimeter
Channel: English Unpacked
Date: 2024-04-07

The word "perimeter" refers to the boundary or outer edge of a shape or area. It is commonly used in geometry to describe the total length of the sides of a two-dimensional figure. The perimeter can be thought of as the distance around the shape, similar to how we think of the perimeter of a fence enclosing a yard. 
Here are a few examples to help illustrate the concept:
1. Square: A square is a four-sided figure with all sides equal in length. To find the perimeter of a square, you simply add up the lengths of all four sides. For example, if each side of a square measures 5 units, the perimeter would be 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20 units.
2. Rectangle: A rectangle is a four-sided figure with opposite sides that are equal in length. To find the perimeter of a rectangle, you add up the lengths of all four sides. For instance, if the length of a rectangle is 6 units and the width is 4 units, the perimeter would be 6 + 4 + 6 + 4 = 20 units.
3. Triangle: A triangle is a three-sided figure. To find the perimeter of a triangle, you add up the lengths of all three sides. For example, if one side measures 4 units, another side measures 6 units, and the third side measures 8 units, the perimeter would be 4 + 6 + 8 = 18 units.
4. Circle: A circle is a shape with a curved boundary and all points equidistant from the center. Unlike other shapes, a circle does not have straight sides, so we use a different formula to find its perimeter, which is called the circumference. The circumference of a circle can be determined using the formula C = 2πr, where π (pi) is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 3.14, and r represents the radius (distance from the center to any point on the boundary). For example, if the radius of a circle is 5 units, the circumference (perimeter) would be 2 x 3.14 x 5 = 31.4 units.
Understanding the concept of perimeter is important in various real-life situations, such as measuring the length of a fence needed to enclose a garden, calculating the distance around a track, or determining the amount of material required to frame a picture.