- Definition
Perimeter is simply the total distance around the outside edge of any shape. Imagine walking along all the sides of a playground; the total distance you walked is the perimeter.
To find the perimeter of a rectangular garden that is 5 metres long and 3 metres wide, you add up all the sides: 5 + 3 + 5 + 3.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Perimeter is like building a fence all the way around a garden.
Ask your child: How many steps would it take to walk around this rug?
Common mix-up: Kids often mix up perimeter and area. Remember that perimeter is the length of the border, not the space inside the shape.
Examples
- The perimeter of a square with 3-centimetre sides is 3 + 3 + 3 + 3, which equals 12 centimetres.
- Walking all the way around a square playground is measuring its perimeter.
- Putting a ribbon around the border of a birthday card.
perimeter is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
