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Perimeter of a parallelogram worksheets

A parallelogram has two pairs of equal sides, so its perimeter is twice one side plus twice the other — you only need two of the four numbers. These free printable worksheets drill that one shape.

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Perimeter of a parallelogram
Perimeter of a parallelogram worksheet — Sides to 35 cm, free printable with answer key

The answer key prints on a separate page.

What's on this sheet

Pulled out of the mixed perimeter page, the parallelogram is the shape that teaches a child to use the figure's structure instead of adding blindly. Opposite sides are equal, so two measurements settle all four.

Why this sheet works

Both distinct lengths are labeled and the figure is drawn true, so the long sides really are the long sides. A child can add all four sides and get the right answer, or add the two different ones and double — and noticing that those give the same total is the point of the sheet.

How this one works

One question from this sheet, worked through a step at a time.

Perimeter of a 15 by 8 parallelogram

sides:158158
sides:158158
sides:158158
15 + 8 + 15 + 8=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: 15 + 8 + 15 + 8.
  3. 15 + 8 + 15 + 8 = 46 cm. Note the unit: cm, not square cm — a fence is a length, and a length never gets squared.

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