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Find perimeter by adding side lengths

Perimeter is the total distance around a polygon, found by adding the lengths of all its sides and expressing the result in matching linear units. The reasoning applies to rectangles and other polygons with given whole-number side lengths, including shapes whose sides are not all equal, and distinguishes perimeter from area; algebraic formulas, unknown side lengths, and more complex composite or curved figures are outside this scope.

Detailed Explanation: Find perimeter by adding side lengths

Perimeter is the total distance around a shape. To find it, add the lengths of all the sides. Write the answer in the same linear units as the side lengths.

Example: A five-sided shape has side lengths of (6 cm)(6\text{ cm}), (4 cm)(4\text{ cm}), (3 cm)(3\text{ cm}), (5 cm)(5\text{ cm}), and (2 cm)(2\text{ cm}). What is its perimeter?

  1. List every side length:
6, 4, 3, 5, 2 6,\ 4,\ 3,\ 5,\ 2
  1. Add the side lengths:
6+4+3+5+2=20 6+4+3+5+2=20
  1. Include the unit:
20 cm \boxed{20\text{ cm}}

The perimeter of the shape is (20)(20) centimeters. Perimeter measures the distance around a shape, not the space inside it.

Learn by doing: Find perimeter by adding side lengths

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