The key difference between area and perimeter is: area is the region occupied by shape and perimeter defines the length of the outer boundary of the shape. Both the parameters define the size of a shape. Learn more on perimeter and area here.
In mathematics, Area & Perimeter both seem to be important terms in Geometry. One can easily get confused between these terms which looks similar but have a huge difference between them. Here we will discuss the basic differences along with some of the basic features and calculating the Area & Perimeter for those shapes.
Definition of Area and Perimeter
Area- Area is defined as space/region occupied by a two-dimensional flat object. It is measured in square units.
Consider a square having side ‘a’ then the area of the square is given by a2.
Perimeter- Perimeter is defined as the length of boundaries of a closed figure. For example, a square having side length equal to ‘a,’ then the perimeter will be the sum of all its four sides, i.e. ‘4a.’ The measurement of the Perimeter is in the unit.
What are the Differences between Area and Perimeter?
| Area | Perimeter |
| The area is the region occupied by a closed shape in a two-dimensional plane. | Perimeter is the length of the outer boundary of a closed shape |
| It is measured in square units | It is measured in units |
| Example: Area of a plot for farming | Example: Fencing the agricultural plot |
| Area of square = side2 | Perimeter of square = 4 x side |
| Area of a rectangle = Length × Breadth | Perimeter of rectangle = 2(Length+Breadth) |
| Area of triangle = ½ × base × height | Perimeter of triangle = Sum of all three sides |
| Area of rhombus = ½ (product of diagonals) | Perimeter of rhombus = 4 × side |
| Area of trapezium = ½ (sum of parallel sides) | Perimeter of trapezium = sum of all sides |
Solved Examples
Example 1: If the length of the side of a square is 11 m. Then find its area and perimeter.
Solution: Given, side of square = 11 m
Area = side2 = 112 = 121 sq.m
Perimeter = 4 side = 4 x 11 = 44 sq.cm.
Example 2: The length of the rectangular plot is 12 yards and width is 10 yards. Find the area and perimeter of the plot.
Solution: Given, Length = 12 yards
Width = 10 yards
Therefore, Area = length x width = 12 x 10 = 120 sq. yards
Perimeter = 2 (length + width) = 2 x (12 + 10) = 2 x 22 = 44 yards.
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