Grade 8 → Mensuration ↓
Area and Perimeter
Introduction
In mathematics, measurement is the branch that deals with the various formulas used for length, area, and volume of various geometric shapes. In this detailed explanation, we will focus on understanding two fundamental concepts: area and perimeter. These concepts are applicable in everyday life, such as in construction, agriculture, and designing, as they help us measure the size of objects.
Understanding the perimeter
The perimeter is the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional shape. Imagine you are wrapping a thread around the edges of a shape; the length of the thread required to wrap it completely is the perimeter of the shape. Perimeter is measured in units of length such as meters, centimeters or feet.
Perimeter of common shapes
Square
A square is a shape that has four equal sides. To find the perimeter of a square, you can add the lengths of the four sides. Since all sides are equal, it can also be found by multiplying the length of one side by 4.
Perimeter of a Square = 4 × side
Example:
If one side of a square is 5 m, then its perimeter is:
Perimeter = 4 × 5 = 20 meters
Let's imagine a square:
Rectangle
A rectangle is a shape whose opposite sides are equal. To find its perimeter, you add the lengths of all the sides. Since opposite sides are equal, the formula can be simplified by adding the length and width and then multiplying by 2.
Perimeter of a Rectangle = 2 × (length + width)
Example:
If the length of a rectangle is 8 m and width 3 m, then its perimeter is:
Perimeter = 2 × (8 + 3) = 22 meters
Let's imagine a rectangle:
Circle
The perimeter of a circle is called its circumference. It can be calculated using the diameter or radius (half of the diameter) from the number π (pi), which is approximately equal to 3.14159.
Circumference of a Circle = 2 × π × radius
Example:
If the radius of a circle is 7 m, then its circumference is:
Circumference = 2 × π × 7 ≈ 44 meters
Let's imagine a circle:
Understanding the area
Area is the amount of space inside a two-dimensional shape. Imagine you are coloring the inside of a shape; the area is the surface you will color. Area is measured in square units, such as square meters, square centimeters, or square feet.
Area of common shapes
Square
To find the area of a square, you multiply the length of one side by the length of the square.
Area of a Square = side × side = side 2
Example:
If one side of a square is 5 m, then its area is:
Area = 5 × 5 = 25 square meters
Rectangle
The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying its length by its width.
Area of a Rectangle = length × width
Example:
If the length of a rectangle is 8 m and width 3 m, then its area is:
Area = 8 × 3 = 24 square meters
Triangle
The area of a triangle can be found using a formula relating its base and height.
Area of a Triangle = 1/2 × base × height
Example:
If the base of a triangle is 6 m and height is 4 m, then its area is:
Area = 1/2 × 6 × 4 = 12 square meters
Circle
The area of a circle is calculated using its radius and the number π (pi).
Area of a Circle = π × radius 2
Example:
If the radius of a circle is 7 m, then its area is:
Area = π × 7 × 7 ≈ 154 square meters
Combined example: area and perimeter of a rectangle
Consider a garden that is in the shape of a rectangle 12 m long and 5 m wide. We want to find both the perimeter and the area.
For the perimeter:
Perimeter = 2 × (length + width) = 2 × (12 + 5) = 34 meters
For the area:
Area = length × width = 12 × 5 = 60 square meters
Practical applications
Understanding area and perimeter is necessary in many real-life situations. For example, if you are planning to build a fence around your garden, you will need to calculate the perimeter to know how much material to purchase for the fencing. Conversely, if you are laying or planting grass in your garden, you will need to know the area.
Conclusion
By understanding the simple concepts of perimeter and area, one can solve many practical problems related to measurement in real life. Whether you are planning to tile the floor, paint a room or build a swimming pool, knowing how to calculate area and perimeter will give you the measurements you need to get the job done efficiently.