Fields and Fences

Perimeter is the total length of the boundary of a shape. To find perimeter, add all the sides. A fence around a field is a real-world example of perimeter. Unit: cm, m, km. Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 × (length + breadth). Perimeter of a square = 4 × side.

Area is the amount of surface covered by a shape. Imagine counting the number of 1×1 unit squares needed to fill a shape — that count is the area. Unit: sq cm (cm²), sq m (m²). Area of a rectangle = length × breadth. Area of a square = side × side.

Perimeter is the distance AROUND a shape (1D concept, linear measurement). Area is the space INSIDE a shape (2D concept, square measurement). A shape can have a large area but small perimeter (like a circle), or vice versa. Both are important in daily life — fencing (perimeter), flooring (area).