Perimeter of a triangle, step by step

A triangle's perimeter is the distance around it: add the three sides.

The question
201313 cm

Perimeter of a 13-13-20 triangle

sides:131320
sides:131320
sides:131320
13 + 13 + 20=46 cm
  1. Perimeter is the distance round the OUTSIDE — the length of the fence, not the size of the field. That is the whole difference between this and area, and it is where the usual wrong answer comes from.
  2. So there is nothing to work out — just walk round the edge and add: 13 + 13 + 20.
  3. 13 + 13 + 20 = 46 cm. Note the unit: cm, not square cm — a fence is a length, and a length never gets squared.

How it works.

  1. 01

    Perimeter is the distance round the OUTSIDE — the length of the fence, not the size of the field. That is the whole difference between this and area, and it is where the usual wrong answer comes from.

  2. 02

    So there is nothing to work out — just walk round the edge and add: 13 + 13 + 20.

  3. 03

    13 + 13 + 20 = 46 cm. Note the unit: cm, not square cm — a fence is a length, and a length never gets squared.