teaching resource

Mixed Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet

Updated: 21 Nov 2023

Use this perimeter word problems worksheet to give your students practice calculating the perimeter of shapes.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 1 Page
Years: 4 - 5

Curriculum

VC2M4M02

Recognise ways of measuring and approximating the perimeter and area of shapes and enclosed spaces, using appropriate formal and informal units <ul> <li>recognising that perimeter is the sum of the lengths that form the boundary of a shape or enclosed space; choosing suitable units from a range of objects to measure around the boundary of a shape such as a garden bed; comparing the results to say which unit was an appropriate choice for the context; and using a piece of string or rope to measure the perimeter of irregular shapes and enclosed spaces, including those that have curved sections</li> <li>creating a range of rectangles representing ‘paddocks’ on grid paper and establishing different methods of working out the length of the boundary fences; and explaining that the more efficient methods involve adding the side lengths rather than counting squares</li> <li>recognising that area is the space enclosed by the boundary of a shape or the surface of an object; measuring and comparing the area of shapes using an array of paper tiles or mosaic squares, including part units to fill gaps at the edge of the shapes; and comparing the total areas by combining the fractional parts to make whole units</li> <li>demonstrating how to use one unit repeatedly to measure the area of a shape (for example, using one paper square to measure and compare the area of a rectangle and a triangle) and recording and explaining how they used part units to give a more accurate measure, and why they needed to ensure there were no gaps or overlaps</li> <li>investigating the ways Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ranger groups and other groups measure areas of land to make decisions about fire burns to care for Country/Place</li> </ul>
VC2M5M02

Solve practical problems involving the perimeter and area of regular and irregular shapes using appropriate metric units <ul> <li>investigating problem situations involving perimeter, for example, ‘How many metres of fencing are required around a paddock, or around a festival event?’</li> <li>using efficient ways to calculate the perimeters of rectangles, such as adding the length and width together and doubling the result</li> <li>solving measurement problems such as ‘How much carpet would be needed to cover the entire floor of the classroom?’, using square metre templates to directly measure the floor space</li> <li>creating a model of a permaculture garden, dividing the area up to provide the most efficient use of space for gardens and walkways, labelling the measure of each area, and calculating the amount of resources needed, for example, compost to cover the vegetable garden</li> <li>using a physical geoboard or a virtual geoboard app to recognise the relationship between area and perimeter and solve problems; for example, investigating what is the largest and what is the smallest area that has the same perimeter</li> <li>exploring the designs of fishing nets and dwellings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, investigating the perimeter, area and purpose of the shapes within the designs</li> </ul>

teaching resource

Mixed Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet

Updated: 21 Nov 2023

Use this perimeter word problems worksheet to give your students practice calculating the perimeter of shapes.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 1 Page
Years: 4 - 5

Use this perimeter word problems worksheet to give your students practice calculating the perimeter of shapes.

Perimeter Word Problems for Year 4 and 5

How do you find the perimeter of an object? When calculating the perimeter, you determine the distance around the outside of a 2D shape. This can be done by adding up all the sides or, in some cases, using a formula. When determining the perimeter of a rectangle, the formula P = 2l + 2w can be used (where l represents the length and w represents the width).

What about cases where you don’t know the length of all of the sides? These problems involve multiple operations, such as adding the known side lengths together, subtracting the number from the perimeter and then dividing by 2.

If your students have practiced these types of problems in isolation, then this maths worksheet will be a great assessment tool to ensure they can solve a variety of perimeter word problems. Students will have the opportunity to practise solving 8 questions that involve standard perimeter problems and unknown side problems.

Example questions include:

The donut shop is 12 metres by 6 metres and the owner wants to purchase new LED light strips to line the top of each wall. How many metres of LEDs does he need to purchase to border the entire shop?

The length of the soccer field is 18 metres and has a perimeter of 60 metres. What is the width of the soccer field?

An answer key is included with your download to make marking fast and easy!

Multiple Uses for This Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet

Do you have students in your class who require more complex material? If so, you might like to consider assigning the alternate version of this resource: Same Perimeter, Different Area Word Problems.

If there are students who need support, why work with these students to draw a picture to assist with solving each problem? A visual representation can be a great help when it comes to solving perimeter word problems.

Download These Perimeter Word Problems to Get Started!

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. You will be prompted to create a personal copy of the Google Slides file before accessing it.

To save paper, we suggest printing this 2-page worksheet double-sided. Alternatively, you could project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their workbooks.

This resource was created by Nicole Ellis, a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Perimeter Word Problems for Your Students

Has this resource piqued your interest in our teacher-made, curriculum-aligned perimeter resources? Click below for more great time-saving options!

[resource:3303438] [resource:5604] [resource:4632664]

Curriculum

VC2M4M02

Recognise ways of measuring and approximating the perimeter and area of shapes and enclosed spaces, using appropriate formal and informal units <ul> <li>recognising that perimeter is the sum of the lengths that form the boundary of a shape or enclosed space; choosing suitable units from a range of objects to measure around the boundary of a shape such as a garden bed; comparing the results to say which unit was an appropriate choice for the context; and using a piece of string or rope to measure the perimeter of irregular shapes and enclosed spaces, including those that have curved sections</li> <li>creating a range of rectangles representing ‘paddocks’ on grid paper and establishing different methods of working out the length of the boundary fences; and explaining that the more efficient methods involve adding the side lengths rather than counting squares</li> <li>recognising that area is the space enclosed by the boundary of a shape or the surface of an object; measuring and comparing the area of shapes using an array of paper tiles or mosaic squares, including part units to fill gaps at the edge of the shapes; and comparing the total areas by combining the fractional parts to make whole units</li> <li>demonstrating how to use one unit repeatedly to measure the area of a shape (for example, using one paper square to measure and compare the area of a rectangle and a triangle) and recording and explaining how they used part units to give a more accurate measure, and why they needed to ensure there were no gaps or overlaps</li> <li>investigating the ways Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ranger groups and other groups measure areas of land to make decisions about fire burns to care for Country/Place</li> </ul>
VC2M5M02

Solve practical problems involving the perimeter and area of regular and irregular shapes using appropriate metric units <ul> <li>investigating problem situations involving perimeter, for example, ‘How many metres of fencing are required around a paddock, or around a festival event?’</li> <li>using efficient ways to calculate the perimeters of rectangles, such as adding the length and width together and doubling the result</li> <li>solving measurement problems such as ‘How much carpet would be needed to cover the entire floor of the classroom?’, using square metre templates to directly measure the floor space</li> <li>creating a model of a permaculture garden, dividing the area up to provide the most efficient use of space for gardens and walkways, labelling the measure of each area, and calculating the amount of resources needed, for example, compost to cover the vegetable garden</li> <li>using a physical geoboard or a virtual geoboard app to recognise the relationship between area and perimeter and solve problems; for example, investigating what is the largest and what is the smallest area that has the same perimeter</li> <li>exploring the designs of fishing nets and dwellings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, investigating the perimeter, area and purpose of the shapes within the designs</li> </ul>

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