Same perimeter, very different area
Comparing a square and a rectangle with equal perimeters to see how differently their areas can turn out.
The Question
A square and a rectangle have the same perimeter. The rectangle measures 14 cm by 6 cm. Find the area of the square, and say how much larger it is than the area of the rectangle.
The Answer
Reveal the Answer
Perimeter 40 cm means the square has side 10 cm and area 100 cm². The rectangle is 84 cm². Equal perimeter does not mean equal area, and the square is always the largest — worth stating as a result.
Now watch the solution
Practice Sheet + Marked Answers
The four-question practice sheet, the solutions in our teaching voice and a self-marking quiz for this question are part of The Question Desk course — every school day of the term, with progress you can see. Enrolled group students get it included.
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