Calculating the perimeter of rectangles by adding all four sides or using the formula 2 × (length + width).
Where your child meets this in real life: Calculating fencing needed for a garden or border trim for a picture frame
SEAGReady breaks perimeter of rectangles into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Calculate the perimeter of a rectangle when all four sides are labeled on the diagram
Calculate the perimeter when only length and width are given, using the rectangle property that opposite sides are equal
Three free sample questions from our perimeter of rectangles course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Sean is putting tape around the edge of a rectangular poster. The poster measures 10 cm, 6 cm, 10 cm, and 6 cm on each side. How much tape does Sean need?
Answer: A. 32 cm
Perimeter is the total distance around the shape. Add all four sides: 10 + 6 + 10 + 6 = 16 + 10 + 6 = 26 + 6 = 32 cm Sean needs 32 cm of tape.
Stuck? Start here: Perimeter means the total distance around a shape. How many sides does a rectangle have?
A rectangular playground is 40 metres long and 20 metres wide. What is the perimeter of the playground?
Answer: A. 120 m
A rectangle has two pairs of equal sides. Length appears twice, width appears twice. Step 1: Add length and width 40 + 20 = 60 Step 2: Multiply by 2 for both pairs 2 x 60 = 120 m The perimeter is 120 metres.
Stuck? Start here: A rectangle has two lengths and two widths. What are the four sides?
Aoife is measuring the edge of a rectangular photo frame. The sides measure 15 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, and 10 cm. What is the perimeter of the frame?
Answer: A. 50 cm
Perimeter is the total distance around the frame. Add all four sides: 15 + 10 + 15 + 10 = 30 + 20 = 50 cm The perimeter of the frame is 50 cm.
Stuck? Start here: Perimeter means going all the way around the shape. Count the sides.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara is putting ribbon around the edge of a rectangular birthday card. The card measures 12 cm, 8 cm, 12 cm, and 8 cm on each side.
How much ribbon does Ciara need?
12 + 8 + 12 + 8
Step 1 of 4
Ciara is putting ribbon around the edge of a rectangular birthday card. The card measures 12 cm, 8 cm, 12 cm, and 8 cm on each side.
How much ribbon does Ciara need?
Ciara needs 40 cm of ribbon.
The key insight: Perimeter means going all the way around - don't miss any sides!
Watch out: 12 + 8 = 20 cm. Only adding two sides gives half the perimeter. A rectangle has four sides!
These are the misconceptions we see most often in perimeter of rectangles, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with perimeter of rectangles? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.