
Perimeter and Area of 2D Figures
The perimeter of a 2D figure measures the length of the outside "edges" of the figure, (this is often measured in cm, m, km, inches, feet, etc.)

The area of a 2D figure measures the "space" within the figure (this is often measured in cm2, m2, km2, inch2, feet2, etc.)

Formulas

If you are asked to find the area of a composite 2D figure, break the shape up into one of these basic shapes, then calculate the area of each smaller shape.

Example: Composite 2D Figures
Calculate the perimeter and area of this composite figure. (The diagram may not be drawn to scale)

Label our diagram

Solving for the unknowns
x represents half the circumference of a circle with radius 2 cm:
x=22πr=22π(2)=24π=2π
y represents the hypotenuse of the right angle triangle:
y2yyyy=42+22=42+22=16+4=20≈4.47
Perimeter
P=5+y+2+5+x=5+20+2+5+2π=12+20+2π≈22.76
So, the perimeter is approximately 22.76 cm
Area
A=semi-circle+rectangle+triangle=(2πr2)+(l×w)+(2b×h)=(2π×22)+(5×4)+(22×4)=(24π)+20+28=2π+20+4≈30.28
So, the area is approximately 30.28 cm2
Practice: Composite 2D Figures
Calculate the perimeter and area of the composite figure. (The diagram may not be drawn to scale)

Practice: Composite 2D Figures
A shaded regular hexagon (6-sided polygon) has a smaller regular hexagon carved out of it. Calculate the perimeter and area of the shaded shape. (The diagram may not be drawn to scale)
