Area represents the extent of a surface enclosed by a boundary, measuring the space inside a shape. It is a two-dimensional measurement, expressed in square units. Perimeter, on the other hand, is the total length of the boundary enclosing a shape, outlining its edges. It is a one-dimensional measurement, expressed in linear units.
Key Takeaways
- The area measures the total surface within a two-dimensional shape; the perimeter calculates the length of the shape’s outer boundaries.
- The area is expressed in square units (e.g., square inches, square meters); the perimeter is expressed in linear units (e.g., inches, meters).
- Different formulas calculate the area and perimeter of various shapes, such as rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Area vs Perimeter
Area refers to the measurement of the size of a two-dimensional surface or shape and is expressed in square units, such as square meters or square inches. Perimeter is the total length of the boundary that encloses a two-dimensional shape and is the distance around the outside of a closed figure.
The area is defined as the space occupied by a flat two-dimensional object. At the same time, the perimeter of an object is the total length of its sides or boundaries.
The area is always measured by the number of square units that fit into a particular shape or object and hence is measured in square units. In contrast, the perimeter measures length in units like feet, inches, meters, etc.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Area | Perimeter |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The two-dimensional space occupied by a closed figure. | The total length of the boundary of a closed figure. |
| Units | Square units (e.g., square meters, square feet) | Linear units (e.g., meters, feet) |
| Formula | Depends on the shape (e.g., square: A = s²; rectangle: A = l x w; triangle: A = 1/2 bh) | Sum of the lengths of all sides of the shape |
| What it measures | The amount of surface enclosed by the shape. | The total distance around the outside of the shape. |
| Example | The area of a rectangular garden is 60 square meters, allowing you to plant flowers across the entire surface. | The perimeter of the same garden is 30 meters, which tells you the total length of fencing needed to enclose it. |
What is Area?
Definition and Calculation:
Area is expressed in square units such as square meters (m²), square centimeters (cm²), square inches (in²), or square feet (ft²), depending on the system of measurement used. It is calculated differently depending on the shape of the object:
- Rectangular or Square Area: For rectangles and squares, the area is calculated by multiplying the length of one side (base) by the length of the other side (height). The formula for the area (A) of a rectangle or square is:A = length × width
- Triangle Area: The area of a triangle is calculated using the formula:A = 0.5 × base × heightwhere the base is the length of the bottom side, and the height is the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite vertex.
- Circle Area: The area of a circle is calculated using the formula:A = π × radius²where π (pi) is a constant approximately equal to 3.14159, and the radius is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its circumference.
- Other Shapes: For irregular shapes, the area can be determined by dividing the shape into smaller, simpler shapes (e.g., triangles, rectangles), calculating the area of each part, and then summing them up.
Importance:
Understanding area is crucial in various real-world applications. Architects and engineers use area calculations to design buildings, roads, and bridges. Farmers utilize area measurements to determine land plots for cultivation. Mathematicians employ area concepts to solve complex geometric problems. Moreover, area calculations are fundamental in fields such as physics, geography, and economics for analyzing spatial distributions and patterns.
What is Perimeter?
Definition and Calculation:
Perimeter is expressed in linear units such as meters (m), centimeters (cm), inches (in), or feet (ft), depending on the system of measurement used. The calculation of perimeter varies depending on the shape of the object:
- Rectangular or Square Perimeter: For rectangles and squares, the perimeter is calculated by adding the lengths of all sides. The formula for the perimeter (P) of a rectangle or square is:P = 2 × (length + width)
- Triangle Perimeter: The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of its three sides.
- Circle Perimeter: Unlike other shapes, the perimeter of a circle is referred to as its circumference. It is calculated using the formula:C = 2 × π × radiuswhere π (pi) is a constant approximately equal to 3.14159, and the radius is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its circumference.
- Other Shapes: For irregular shapes, the perimeter can be determined by summing the lengths of all its sides.
Importance:
Perimeter plays a crucial role in various real-world applications. Architects use perimeter measurements to plan the layout of buildings and structures. Landscapers utilize perimeter calculations to design garden beds and pathways. Fencing contractors rely on perimeter measurements to determine the amount of fencing material required for a given area. In mathematics, perimeter concepts are essential for understanding geometric properties and solving problems related to spatial configurations.
Main Differences Between Area and Perimeter
- Definition:
- Area measures the space enclosed within the boundary of a two-dimensional shape.
- Perimeter measures the total length of the boundary surrounding a two-dimensional shape.
- Units:
- Area is expressed in square units (e.g., square meters, square centimeters).
- Perimeter is expressed in linear units (e.g., meters, centimeters).
- Calculation:
- Area is calculated by multiplying specific dimensions depending on the shape (e.g., length × width for a rectangle).
- Perimeter is calculated by summing the lengths of all sides of the shape.
- Representation:
- Area represents the extent or size of the space inside a shape.
- Perimeter represents the length around the outer edge of a shape.
- Importance:
- Area is crucial for determining the amount of space enclosed within a shape, essential in fields like architecture, engineering, and mathematics.
- Perimeter is important for measuring the total length of the boundary, useful in applications such as fencing, landscaping, and determining material requirements.
- https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/geometry/perimeter
- https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/geometry/area
Last Updated : 05 March, 2024
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
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