Area vs. Perimeter — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
Area measures the surface space within a boundary, expressed in square units, while perimeter defines the total length of the boundary of a shape.
Difference Between Area and Perimeter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Area quantifies the extent of a two-dimensional space enclosed within a shape, calculated in units like square meters or square feet. On the other hand, perimeter measures the distance around a shape, including all sides, and is expressed in linear units like meters or feet.
Area is crucial in scenarios requiring the coverage of surfaces, such as flooring or painting, highlighting how much material is needed. Whereas perimeter is vital for tasks involving the borders of a shape, like fencing a yard or framing a picture.
Calculating the area can involve various formulas depending on the shape; for instance, length times width for rectangles or base times height divided by two for triangles. In contrast, determining the perimeter generally involves adding up the lengths of all sides, regardless of the shape's complexity.
While area can never be negative, showing a physical, measurable property, the concept of perimeter ensures a practical measurement for linear distances, making both critical but distinct in practical applications.
In terms of mathematical education, area introduces students to concepts of multiplication and geometry, emphasizing spatial reasoning. Perimeter, on the other hand, often serves as an introduction to addition and linear measurement, underscoring the importance of edge lengths and total distances.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The measure of the surface space within a boundary.
The total length around a boundary.
Units
Square units (e.g., sq. m, sq. ft).
Linear units (e.g., m, ft).
Formula Examples
Rectangle: Length × Width; Triangle: ½ × Base × Height.
Sum of all side lengths.
Application Scenarios
Flooring, painting walls, buying carpet.
Fencing, framing pictures, bordering gardens.
Educational Focus
Introduces multiplication and spatial reasoning.
Introduces addition and linear measurements.
Compare with Definitions
Area
Important in real estate to determine space.
Larger area apartments are more expensive.
Perimeter
Independent of interior dimensions.
A thin, long rectangle can have a large perimeter and small area.
Area
Expressed in square units.
The area of this field is 500 square meters.
Perimeter
Linear measurement around the edge of a figure.
The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of all its sides.
Area
Measurement of the interior surface of a 2D shape.
The area of a square is given by side length squared.
Perimeter
Simple addition for polygons.
The perimeter of a hexagon is six times one side length.
Area
Dependent on shape geometry.
The area of a circle is calculated as π times the radius squared.
Perimeter
Used in projects requiring border measurements.
We need 30 meters of fence to cover the perimeter.
Area
Varies with shape dimension changes.
Doubling the dimensions of a rectangle quadruples its area.
Perimeter
Expressed in units such as meters or feet.
The perimeter of our garden is 40 feet.
Area
Area is the quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional region, shape, or planar lamina, in the plane. Surface area is its analog on the two-dimensional surface of a three-dimensional object.
Perimeter
A perimeter is either a path that encompasses/surrounds/outlines a shape (in two dimensions) or its length (one-dimensional). The perimeter of a circle or an ellipse is called its circumference.
Area
A roughly bounded part of the space on a surface; a region:a farming area; the New York area.
Perimeter
The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometrical figure
The perimeter of a rectangle
Area
A surface, especially an open, unoccupied piece of ground:a landing area; a playing area.
Perimeter
An instrument for measuring the extent and characteristics of a person's field of vision.
Area
A distinct part or section, as of a building, set aside for a specific function:a storage area in the basement.
Perimeter
A closed line bounding a plane area.
Area
A division of experience, activity, or knowledge; a field:studies in the area of finance; a job in the health-care area.
Perimeter
The length of such a line.
Area
An open, sunken space next to a building; an areaway.
Perimeter
The outer limits of an area.
Area
Abbr. AThe extent of a planar region or of the surface of a solid measured in square units.
Perimeter
A defended boundary protecting a military position.
Area
(mathematics) A measure of the extent of a surface; it is measured in square units.
Perimeter
(Basketball) The three-point line.
Area
A particular geographic region.
Perimeter
(mathematics) The sum of the distance of all the lengths of the sides of an object.
Area
Any particular extent of surface, especially an empty or unused extent.
The photo is a little dark in that area.
Perimeter
(mathematics) The length of such a boundary.
Area
The extent, scope, or range of an object or concept.
The plans are a bit vague in that area.
Perimeter
The outer limits of an area. circumference
Area
(British) An open space, below ground level, giving access to the basement of a house, and typically separated from the pavement by railings.
Perimeter
A fortified strip or boundary usually protecting a military position.
Area
(soccer) Penalty box; penalty area.
Perimeter
An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision.
Area
(slang) Genitals.
Perimeter
The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides.
Area
Any plane surface, as of the floor of a room or church, or of the ground within an inclosure; an open space in a building.
The Alban lake . . . looks like the area of some vast amphitheater.
Perimeter
An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision.
Area
The inclosed space on which a building stands.
Perimeter
The boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
Area
The sunken space or court, giving ingress and affording light to the basement of a building.
Perimeter
A line enclosing a plane areas
Area
An extent of surface; a tract of the earth's surface; a region; as, vast uncultivated areas.
Perimeter
The size of something as given by the distance around it
Area
The superficial contents of any figure; the surface included within any given lines; superficial extent; as, the area of a square or a triangle.
Area
A spot or small marked space; as, the germinative area.
Area
Extent; scope; range; as, a wide area of thought.
The largest area of human history and man's common nature.
Area
A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography);
It was a mountainous area
Bible country
Area
A particular environment or walk of life;
His social sphere is limited
It was a closed area of employment
He's out of my orbit
Area
A subject of study;
It was his area of specialization
Areas of interest include...
Area
A part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function;
The spacious cooking area provided plenty of room for servants
Area
A part of an animal that has a special function or is supplied by a given artery or nerve;
In the abdominal region
Area
The extent of a 2-dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary;
The area of a rectangle
It was about 500 square feet in area
Common Curiosities
What is the perimeter?
Perimeter is the total distance around the edge of a geometric shape.
How do you calculate the area of a rectangle?
Multiply the length by the width.
Why is knowing the area important?
It helps in determining the amount of material needed for covering a surface.
How do area and perimeter relate to each other?
They describe different properties of a shape: area relates to the surface, perimeter to the boundary.
What is area?
Area is the measure of surface space within a closed boundary, typically in square units.
Can area and perimeter be the same numerically?
Yes, for specific dimensions and shapes, their numerical values can coincide.
What units are used to measure area and perimeter?
Area is measured in square units, while perimeter is in linear units.
How does perimeter affect real-world projects?
It impacts the amount of material needed for borders or edges.
How is perimeter calculated for irregular shapes?
By adding the lengths of all the sides.
What tools are used to measure area and perimeter?
Tools like rulers, measuring tapes, and calculators.
Are there shapes with constant area but varying perimeters?
Yes, such as rearranging a fixed amount of material into different shapes.
How do changes in dimensions affect area and perimeter?
Perimeter changes linearly, while area changes quadratically with dimension alterations.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
