What is the correct expression for the perimeter of a rectangle?

What is the correct expression for the perimeter of a rectangle?

• A. 2(length + width)
• B. length + width
• C. 4 x side
• D. length x width

Answer: (A)

The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated by adding together the lengths of all four sides. Since opposite sides of a rectangle are equal, the perimeter can be expressed as the sum of the lengths of the two lengths and the two widths. Specifically, this can be written as: Perimeter = length + width + length + width = 2(length) + 2(width) = 2(length + width). This formula highlights that the perimeter is twice the sum of the length and width, which captures the total distance around the rectangle. Thus, the correct expression for the perimeter of a rectangle is indeed 2(length + width). Other expressions do not accurately represent the perimeter of a rectangle. For example, simply adding the length and width provides only the sum of one pair of opposite sides, not the total perimeter. Another option, multiplying a side by 4, would apply to a square but is not relevant to rectangles with differing lengths and widths. Finally, multiplying length by width gives the area of the rectangle, not the perimeter. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the concept of how perimeter is defined and calculated for geometric shapes.

The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated by adding together the lengths of all four sides. Since opposite sides of a rectangle are equal, the perimeter can be expressed as the sum of the lengths of the two lengths and the two widths. Specifically, this can be written as:

Perimeter = length + width + length + width = 2(length) + 2(width) = 2(length + width).

This formula highlights that the perimeter is twice the sum of the length and width, which captures the total distance around the rectangle. Thus, the correct expression for the perimeter of a rectangle is indeed 2(length + width).

Other expressions do not accurately represent the perimeter of a rectangle. For example, simply adding the length and width provides only the sum of one pair of opposite sides, not the total perimeter. Another option, multiplying a side by 4, would apply to a square but is not relevant to rectangles with differing lengths and widths. Finally, multiplying length by width gives the area of the rectangle, not the perimeter. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the concept of how perimeter is defined and calculated for geometric shapes.