The perimeter of a shape is the total distance around it, while area describes the amount of surface the shape uses or covers. Perimeter and area calculation methods differ for every kind of shape. For instance, while you can find the area of a rectangle simply by multiplying its length by its width, a circle requires a more complex calculation. Learn to convert the most basic shapes' perimeters to areas and you can later progress to compound shapes.
Square Perimeters
Divide Perimeter by Four
Square Length of Side
Add Unit of Measurement
Divide the perimeter by four to obtain the length of each side, since all four sides of a square are equal. For example, a square with a perimeter of 36 inches would have sides that measure 9 inches each because 36 ÷ 4 = 9.
Square the length of one side. For a square with 9-inch sides, work out 9 x 9 = 81.
Add the proper unit of measure to the area. A square with a perimeter of 36 inches has an area of 81 square inches.
Rectangle Perimeters
Work out Length of Base and Height
Multiply Base by Height
Add Unit of Measurement
Determine the length of both the base and the height. These are the sides that are not parallel to one another. For example, say you have a rectangle with a base of 6 cm and a height of 7 cm.
Multiply the base by the height. Work out 6 x 7 = 42.
Add the proper unit of measure. In this example, the area of the rectangle is 42 cm square centimeters.
Triangle Perimeters
Work out Length of Base
Work out Height
Multiply Base by Height
Divide by two
Add Unit of Measurement
Determine the length of the base of the triangle. For example, say you have a triangle with a base of 3 feet.
Calculate the height of the triangle. Say you have a triangle with a height of 12 feet.
Multiply the length of the base by the length of the height. Work out 3 x 12 = 36.
Divide by two. Work out 36 ÷ 2 = 18.
Add the proper unit of measure. The area of the triangle is 18 square feet.
Circle Circumference
Divide Perimeter by pi
Divide Diameter by two
Multiply Radius
Multiply by pi
Add Unit of Measurement
Divide the circle's perimeter, also known as the circumference, by pi (3.14159265) to get the diameter of the circle. For example, say you have a circle with a circumference of 40 inches. Work out 40 ÷ 3.14159265 = 12.732.
Divide the diameter by two to give you the length of the radius. Work out 12.732 ÷ 2 = 6.366.
Multiply the radius by itself. In this example, work out 6.366 x 6.366 = 40.526.
Multiply by pi (3.14159265). Work out 40.526 x 3.14159265 = 127.316.
Add the proper unit of measure. The area of the circle is 127.316 square inches.