whats a perimeter?
http://dictionary.reference.com/
perimeter is the distance around something
A perimeter refers to the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional shape. It is the sum of all the sides or edges of the shape. The unit of measurement for the perimeter depends on the given shape, such as centimeters, inches, meters, or feet.
To calculate the perimeter of a shape, follow these steps:
1. Identify the shape: Determine the type of shape for which you need to find the perimeter. It could be a square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or any other polygon.
2. Measure the sides: If you have physical access to the shape, use a ruler or tape measure to measure each side. Otherwise, consult the given measurements or formulas for the specific shape.
3. Add up the sides: For regular shapes like squares or rectangles, simply add up the lengths of all the sides. For irregular shapes, sum up the individual measurements of each side.
4. Record the result: Once you have added all the sides together, write down the final total. Remember to include the appropriate unit of measurement.
For example, let's consider a rectangle with one side measuring 4 cm and the opposite side measuring 6 cm. To calculate its perimeter, add up the lengths of all sides: 4 cm + 4 cm + 6 cm + 6 cm = 20 cm. Therefore, the perimeter of the rectangle is 20 cm.