Finding the perimeter

Finding the perimeter of a shape means that you are looking for the distance around the outside of that shape.

Example #1

Find the distance around for the following irregular polygon



Distance around = 5 inches + 4 inches + 2 inches + 3 inches + 6 inches = 20 inches

Example #2

Find the distance around for the following trapezoid



Distance around = 5 inches + 8 inches + 4 inches + 3 inches = 20 inches

Example #3

Find the distance around the following triangle



Distance around = 5 inches + 4 inches + 2 inches = 11 inches

Example #4

Find the distance around the following rectangle



Distance around = 3 inches + 3 inches + 6 inches + 6 inches = 18 inches

Example #5

Find the distance around the following square



distance around = 5 inches + 5 inches + 5 inches + 5 inches = 20 inches
You can get the same answer by doing 4 × 5 = 20