measuring area and perimeter

Objective:

The object of this activity is to measure the perimeter and area of different shapes and then place this information into a table on the computer.

Use these definitions to help you:

Perimeter is the length of all the sides together. Perimeter = side + side + side + side
Area is the number of square units that can fit into the shape (this activity will use square inches for the unit) Area = length x width

Perimeter

1. Measure the sides of the red rectangle using the inch ruler.
2. Add all of the sides together. This is the perimeter of the red rectangle.
3. Record this information on the table below.
4. Repeat these steps with the other rectangles.

Area

1. Take a piece of 1-inch graph paper. Each square is equal to 1 square inch or 1 inch².
2. Place the red rectangle on the graph paper. (If using a transparency, put the rectangle under the plastic.)
3. Count the number of square inches the red rectangle covers. This is the area of the red rectangle.
4. Record this number on the table below.
5. Repeat these steps with the remaining rectangles.
   

Now you are going to enter this information into a table on the computer. Turn to page two for the directions.

6. Click on the Table shortcut button in the toolbar. You will need to create a 6 x 3 table. (You will notice that the shortcut button only shows a 4 x 5 table. Highlight the top three squares and then click and drag the mouse downward until the table expands to make a 6 x 3.)
   

7. In the first box type the word Rectangle. Underline it. In the second box type the word Perimeter. Underline it also. In the third box on the top row type the word Area. Underline it.
8. In the Rectangle column type the words Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Orange (one word in each box). Your table should look the one on page 1 of this activity.
9. Enter the measurements you wrote down earlier into the table.
10. Now you are going to sort this information in three different ways. Under Table in the menu bar, select Sort. . . A window like this one will appear:
    

13. Repeat step 10, but his time select Rectangle in the Sort by: box and Text in the Type: box. Click OK. This puts the information in ABC order.
14. Repeat step 10 again, but select Area, and Text and put a dot next to Descending. Click OK. Notice how the information is now sorted.
15. Put a header on your table by selecting View and then Header and Footer. Type the words Perimeter and Area as your title. Click Close.
16. Print your project.