Perimeter – Definition, Regular and Irregular Shapes, Examples

What is a Perimeter?

In geometry, the perimeter of a shape is defined as the total length of its boundary. The perimeter of a shape is determined by adding the length of all the sides and edges enclosing the shape. It is measured in linear units of measurement like centimeters, meters, inches, or feet.

Let’s try to calculate the perimeter of the following shape:

Perimeter of a shape = Sum of all its sides,

Therefore,

Perimeter of the given shape = 6 cm + 5 cm + 5 cm + 4 cm + 3 cm = 23 cm.

How to Find Perimeter

Perimeter of a Regular Shape

We know that the length of each side of a regular polygon is the same.
Therefore,
Perimeter of regular polygon = sum of all its sides = number of sides ✕ length of one side.

For example, look at the given regular pentagon.

The perimeter of the given regular pentagon can be calculated as follows:

Number of sides = 5
Length of one side = 4 cm

Therefore, Perimeter = number of sides ✕ length of one side

= 5 ✕ 4 = 20 cm

The given table summarizes the formulas to find the perimeter of some regular polygons:

Perimeter of An Irregular Shape

Since the sides of an irregular polygon may not all be the same in length, we use the general formula to find the perimeter of an irregular shape.
Therefore,
Perimeter of irregular polygon = sum of all sides.

Real – World Applications

We often use the concept of perimeter in real life. For example, when putting up Christmas lights around the house or when we want to put a fence around the backyard, we find its perimeter to know the length of wire we will need.

                      

Solved Examples On Perimeter

Example 1: What is the perimeter of the given figure?

Solution: 

We know that the perimeter of a triangle is given by

Perimeter = a + b + c,

Where a, b, c = length of three sides.

Therefore,

For the given triangle,

Perimeter = 5 cm + 4 cm + 3 cm = 12 cm

Example 2: Calculate the perimeter of the following figure.

Solution: 

The given shape is an irregular pentagon.

The perimeter of this pentagon will be given by the sum of all its sides.

Perimeter = 2 cm + 3 cm + 3 cm + 4 cm + 5 cm = 17 cm

Example 3: What will be the perimeter of a rectangle with length 12 cm and breadth 5 cm?

Solution:

We know that the perimeter of a rectangle is given by 

Perimeter = 2 ✕ (l + b),

Where l = length of the given rectangle, b = breadth of the given rectangle.

For the given rectangle, l = 12 cm, b = 5 cm.

Therefore, perimeter of given rectangle = 2 ✕ (12 + 5) = 2 ✕ 17 = 34 cm