Chapter 6: Measuring Space: Perimeter and Area

Detailed Notes and Solutions

Contents

1 Introduction 2

2 Perimeter of a Shape 2
2.1 Formulas for Basic Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

3 The C/D Ratio - Understanding π 2

3.1 What is π? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.2 Historical Development of π . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.3 Key Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.4 Madhava’s Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.5 Fun Fact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

4 Length of an Arc of a Circle 3

4.1 Arc Length Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.2 Special Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5 The 400m Athletics Track Analysis 3

5.1 Track Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5.2 Calculations for Inner Lane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.3 Why Staggers are Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6 Area Formulas 4
6.1 Rectangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.2 Parallelogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.3 Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.4 Key Theorems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.4.1 Median of a Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.4.2 Heron’s Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.4.3 Brahmagupta’s Formula (Cyclic Quadrilateral) . . . . . . . . . . . 5

7 Area of a Circle 5
7.1 Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7.2 Visual Proof (Nilakantha’s Method) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7.3 Area of Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

8 Exercise Set 6.1 Solutions 5

9 Exercise Set 6.2 Solutions 7

1
10 Exercise Set 6.3 Solutions 9

11 Additional Problems Solutions 12

12 Chapter Summary 15
12.1 Key Formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
12.2 Important Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
12.3 Key Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1 Introduction
In athletics, runners in outer lanes start ahead of those in inner lanes. This is called
the “stagger” and compensates for the larger radius on curved portions of the track. To
understand this, we need to know how to find lengths around circles.

2 Perimeter of a Shape
Definition: The perimeter is the total length around the border of a shape.

2.1 Formulas for Basic Shapes

• Square (side = a): P = 4a

• Rectangle (length = a, width = b): P = 2(a + b)

• Equilateral Triangle (side = a): P = 3a

• Circle (radius = r, diameter = d): C = 2πr = πd

Note: A square is a special case of a rectangle where a = b.

3 The C/D Ratio - Understanding π

3.1 What is π?
• π (pi) is the ratio of circumference to diameter for all circles

• This ratio is constant regardless of circle size

• π ≈ 3.14159265358 . . .

2
3.2 Historical Development of π
Mathematician Time Period Approximation/Contribution
Mesopotamians c. 1900 BCE π = 3.125
Archimedes 250 BCE 3.10 < π < 3.14 (96-sided polygons)
Ptolemy 150 CE π ≈ 3.14167
Liu Hui 263 CE Circle-cutting method
Zu Chongzhi 480 CE π ≈ 355
113
Aryabhata 499 CE π√≈ 3.1416
Brahmagupta 628 CE π ≈ 10 ≈ 3.1622
Madhava c. 1400 CE Exact infinite series

3.3 Key Insights

• π is irrational - cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers

• Important: π ̸= 22
7
(they are close but not equal)

• Better approximation: 355

113

3.4 Madhava’s Formula

π 1 1 1
= 1 − + − + ···
4 3 5 7

3.5 Fun Fact

“How I wish I could recollect pi” Count letters: 3,1,4,1,5,9,2 = 3.141592. . .

4 Length of an Arc of a Circle

4.1 Arc Length Formula
For a circle of radius r, an arc that subtends angle θ◦ at the center:
θ◦
Arc Length = 2πr ×
360◦

4.2 Special Cases

• Semicircle (θ = 180◦ ): Arc length = πr

• Quarter circle (θ = 90◦ ): Arc length = πr

2

5 The 400m Athletics Track Analysis

5.1 Track Configuration
• Two straight sections: 84.39 m each (total 168.78 m)

3
 • Two semicircular ends with radius 36.5 m (inner lane)

• Each lane width: 1.22 m

• Runner runs 0.3 m from inner border

5.2 Calculations for Inner Lane

• Radius for runner: 36.5 + 0.3 = 36.8 m

• Circumference of curved portion: 2π(36.8) ≈ 231.22 m

• Total distance: 168.78 + 231.22 = 400 m

5.3 Why Staggers are Needed

• Runners in outer lanes run larger radius on curved portions

• Stagger compensates for this extra distance

• Each lane requires approximately 2π × 1.22 ≈ 7.66 m stagger

6 Area Formulas
6.1 Rectangle
A = length × width = ab

6.2 Parallelogram
A = base × height = bh
Important: Knowing only side lengths is NOT enough to find area (depends on angle).

6.3 Triangle
1 1
A= × base × height = bh
2 2

6.4 Key Theorems

6.4.1 Median of a Triangle
A median divides a triangle into two equal-area triangles.

6.4.2 Heron’s Formula

For triangle with sides a, b, c:

• Semi-perimeter: s = a+b+c
2

• Area = s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c)

p

4
6.4.3 Brahmagupta’s Formula (Cyclic Quadrilateral)
For a cyclic 4-gon with sides a, b, c, d:

• s= a+b+c+d
2

• Area =
p
(s − a)(s − b)(s − c)(s − d)

• Heron’s formula is a special case (when d = 0)

7 Area of a Circle
7.1 Formula
A = πr2

7.2 Visual Proof (Nilakantha’s Method)

• Cut circle into thin slices

• Rearrange to form a parallelogram

• Base = πr (half circumference)

• Height = r

• Area = πr × r = πr2

7.3 Area of Sector

θ◦
Sector area = πr2 ×
360◦

8 Exercise Set 6.1 Solutions

Question 1
Perimeter = 44 cm = 2πr
22
2× × r = 44
7
44 × 7
r= = 7 cm
44
Answer: 7 cm

5
Question 2
Using C = 2πr
22
(i) r = 7 cm: C = 2 × 7
× 7 = 44 cm
22
(ii) r = 10 cm: C = 2 × 7
× 10 = 62.857 . . . ≈ 62.9 cm
22
(iii) r = 12 cm: C = 2 × 7
× 12 = 75.428 . . . ≈ 75.4 cm
Answers: (i) 44 cm, (ii) 62.9 cm, (iii) 75.4 cm

Question 3
θ
Arc length = 2πr × 360◦

(i) r = 3.5 cm, θ = 60◦ :

22 60 3.5 1 1 11
=2× × 3.5 × = 22 × × = 11 × = = 3.67 cm
7 360 7 6 6 6
(ii) r = 6.3 m, θ = 120◦ :
22 120 6.3 1 1
=2× × 6.3 × = 44 × × = 44 × 0.9 × = 13.2 m
7 360 7 3 3
Answers: (i) 3.67 cm, (ii) 13.2 m

Question 4
Sector perimeter = arc length + 2r
θ 22 75
Arc length = 2πr × 360 ◦ = 2 × 7 × 14 × 360

14 75 75 75 6600
= 44 × × = 44 × 2 × = 88 × = = 18.33 cm
7 360 360 360 360
Perimeter = 18.33 + 28 = 46.33 cm
Answer: 46.33 cm

Question 5
(For the shapes shown in Fig. 6.14i to 6.14ix, identify which portions are straight lines
and which are arcs of circles, then add them.)

Question 6
Diameter = 56 cm, radius = 28 cm
(i) Distance per revolution = circumference = 2πr
22
=2× × 28 = 176 cm = 1.76 m
7
10000
(ii) For 10 km = 10,000 m: Number of revolutions = 1.76
≈ 5681.8
Answers: (i) 1.76 m, (ii) ≈ 5682 revolutions

6
Question 7
Fig. 6.15A (Square-based flower):

• Each petal is a semicircle with diameter = side of square

• If side = a, radius of each semicircle = a

2

• Each petal perimeter = πr = πa

2

• Total perimeter of 4 petals = 4 × πa

2
= 2πa

Fig. 6.15B (Hexagon-based flower):

• Each petal is a circular arc from hexagon vertices

• If hexagon side = a, the arcs are from circles with radius = a

• Each arc is 60◦ of a circle (interior angle of hexagon)

• Perimeter = 6 × 2πa × 360 60

= 6 × πa


3
= 2πa

Question 8
Ratio of perimeters = 5:4
Since C = 2πr, C1 : C2 = r1 : r2
Therefore, r1 : r2 = 5 : 4
Answer: 5:4

9 Exercise Set 6.2 Solutions

Question 1
(Without Fig. 6.31, use given dimensions to find area using triangle formula.)

Question 2
Given: Parallel sides = 40 cm and 20 cm, equal non-parallel sides = 26 cm
Height of trapezium:

• The difference in bases = 40 − 20 = 20 cm

• Half of this = 10 cm (on each side for isosceles trapezium)

√ √ √
• Height = 262 − 102 = 676 − 100 = 576 = 24 cm

Area = 21 (sum of parallel sides) × height

1
= (40 + 20) × 24 = 30 × 24 = 720 cm2
2
Answer: 720 cm2

7
Question 3
Given: Two sides = 8 cm and 11 cm, perimeter = 32 cm
Third side = 32 − 8 − 11 = 13 cm
Semi-perimeter s = 16 cm
Using Heron’s formula:
p √ √ √
Area = 16(16 − 8)(16 − 11)(16 − 13) = 16 × 8 × 5 × 3 = 1920 = 8 30 ≈ 43.82 cm2
√
Answer: 8 30 cm2 (≈ 43.82 cm2 )

Question 4
Sides ratio = 3:5:7, perimeter = 300 m
Let sides be 3x, 5x, 7x
3x + 5x + 7x = 300 → 15x = 300 → x = 20
Sides: a = 60 m, b = 100 m, c = 140 m
s = 150 m

p √ p √
Area = 150(150 − 60)(150 − 100)(150 − 140) = 150 × 90 × 50 × 10 = 6, 750, 000 = 1500 3 ≈ 25
√
Answer: 1500 3 m2 (≈ 2598 m2 )

Question 5
Let shorter diagonal = x, longer diagonal = 2x
Area of rhombus = 21 × d1 × d2 = 21 × x × 2x = x2
√ √
x2 = 128 →√ x = 128 = 8 2 cm
Answer: 8 2 cm

Question 6
P and Q are on side AB of parallelogram ABCD
Since base CD is same and height is same for both triangles,
Area(△P CD) = Area(△QCD)
Therefore, ratio = 1:1
Answer: 1:1

Question 7
In parallelogram P QRS, O is on diagonal P R
Triangles P SO and P QO:

• Both have base P O (common)

• Height of P SO from S to P R = height of P QO from Q to P R

• Area(P SO) = Area(P QO)

Proof complete.

8
Question 8
When midpoints of a quadrilateral are joined in order, they form a parallelogram (Varignon’s
parallelogram). The area of this parallelogram is half the area of the original quadrilat-
eral.

Question 9
In △ABC, D is midpoint of BC, AD is median. P is any point on AD.
Area(ABP ) = 12 × BP × h1
Area(ACP ) = 12 × CP × h1
Since BP = CP (D is midpoint and P lies on median AD), the areas are equal.

Question 10
Let square side = a, point P has coordinates (x, y) from center.
Area(△P AB) + Area(△P CD) = 12 × a × (h1 + h2 )
Area(△P BC) + Area(△P DA) = 21 × a × (h3 + h4 )
The sum of all four triangles = a2
By symmetry, the ratio = 1:1
Answer: 1:1

Question 11
In △ABC, D is midpoint of AB, CQ ∥ P D
Area(△BP Q) = 21 × BP × height from Q to BP
Area(△ABC) = 12 × BC × height from A to BC
Since CQ ∥ P D, the heights are proportional to the bases,
Area(△BP Q) = 21 Area(△ABC)
Answer: Proved

10 Exercise Set 6.3 Solutions

Question 1
r = 7 cm, θ = 60◦
θ
Sector area = πr2 × 360◦

22 60 22 1 1 154
= × 72 × = × 49 × = 22 × 7 × = = 25.67 cm2
7 360 7 6 6 6
Answer: 25.67 cm2

Question 2
Circumference = 44 cm = 2πr
r = 44×7
44
= 7 cm
Quadrant area = 41 πr2 = 41 × 22
7
× 49

9
 1
= × 154 = 38.5 cm2
4
Answer: 38.5 cm2

Question 3
Minute hand length = 7 cm (radius)
Angle in 10 minutes = 10
60
× 360◦ = 60◦
2 θ
Area swept = πr × 360◦
22 60 1
= × 49 × = 154 × = 25.67 cm2
7 360 6
Answer: 25.67 cm2

Question 4
r = 10 cm, θ = 90◦
90
(i) Minor sector area = πr2 × 360

1
= 3.14 × 100 × = 78.5 cm2
4
270
(ii) Major sector area = πr2 × 360

3
= 3.14 × 100 × = 235.5 cm2
4

Answers: (i) 78.5 cm2 , (ii) 235.5 cm2

Question 5
r = 15 cm, θ = 60◦
60
Sector area = πr2 × 360 = 3.14 × 225 × 61 = 117.75 cm2
Area of triangle = 2 r × sin 60◦ = 12 × 225 × 0.866 = 97.425 cm2
1 2

Minor segment area = Sector area − Triangle area

= 117.75 − 97.425 = 20.325 cm2

Major segment area = πr2 − Minor segment

= 706.5 − 20.325 = 686.175 cm2

Answers: Minor segment = 20.33 cm2 , Major segment = 686.18 cm2

10
Question 6
Each wiper: r = 28 cm, θ = 120◦
Area per wiper = πr2 × 120
360
= 22
7
× 784 × 1
3

1 2464
= 22 × 112 ×
= = 821.33 cm2
3 3
Total area (2 wipers) = 2 × 821.33 = 1642.67 cm2
Answer: 1642.67 cm2

Question 7 (Starred)
Given: chord subtends 60◦ at center, radius r
60 2
Sector area = πr2 × 360 = πr6 √ √ 2
Triangle area = 12 r2 × sin 60◦ = 21 r2 × 23 = 3r
4
√ √
πr2 3r2 π 3
Minor segment = 6
− 4
= r2 6
− 4
Proved.

Question 8 (Starred)
Equilateral triangle in circle radius√r √ √
Side of equilateral triangle = r √3 (since side√= 2r × sin 60◦ = 2r × 3
= r 3)
√ √ 2
2
Triangle area = 43 × (r 3)2 = 43 × 3r2 = 3 43r
Circle area√ =2 πr2 √
Ratio = 3 πr3r /4
2 = 34π3 ≈ 0.413
Proved.

Question 9 (Starred)
Square inscribed in circle
√ radius r
Side of square
√ 2 = r 2
2
Area = (r 2) = 2r
2r2 2
Ratio = πr 2 = π ≈ 0.637

Proved.

Question 10 (Starred)
Hexagon inscribed in circle radius r
Hexagon is made
√ of 6√ equilateral triangles of side r
3 2 2
Area = 6 ×
√ 4
r = 3 23r
2 √
Ratio = 3 πr3r /2
2 = 32π3 ≈ 0.827
This is twice the answer to Q8 because a hexagon has twice the area of an equilateral
triangle of the same circumradius.
Proved.

11
11 Additional Problems Solutions
Question 1 (Algebra Identities)
(a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2
This can be shown as the difference of areas of two squares.
(a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca
This can be shown by dividing a square of side (a + b + c) into 9 regions.

Question 2
Isosceles triangle: equal sides = 15 cm each, perimeter = 40 cm
Base = 40√− 15 − 15 = √ 10 cm √ √
Height = 152 − 52√= 225√− 25 = 200 = 10 2 cm
Area = 12 × 10 × 10 2 = 50 2 cm2
√
Answer: 50 2 cm2

Question 3
Base = 10 cm, Area = 60 cm2
Area = 12 × base × height
60 = 12 × 10 × h → h = 12 cm
p √ √
Equal side = (base/2)2 + h2 = 25 + 144 = 169 = 13 cm
Answer: 13 cm

Question 4
Area = 54 cm2 , one leg = 12 cm
Let other leg = x
Area = 12 × 12 × x = 54 → x = 9 cm
√ √ √
Hypotenuse = 122 + 92 = 144 + 81 = 225 = 15 cm
Perimeter = 12 + 9 + 15 = 36 cm
Answer: 36 cm

Question 5
Sides ratio = 2:3:4, perimeter = 45 cm
Let sides = 2x, 3x, 4x
2x + 3x + 4x = 45 → 9x = 45 → x = 5
Sides: a = 10 cm, b = 15 cm, c = 20 cm
s = 22.5√cm
Area = 22.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 × 2.5
√
= 5273.4375 ≈ 72.62 cm2
Answer: ≈ 72.62 cm2

12
Question 6
Sides 7, 24, 25
Check: 72 + 242 = 49 + 576 = 625 = 252
So it’s a right-angled triangle.
Method 1: Area = 21 × 7 × 24 = 84 cm2
Method 2: Heron’s formula
s = 7+24+25 = 28
2√ √
Area = 28 × 21 × 4 × 3 = 7056 = 84 cm2
Answer: 84 cm2

Question 7
Diameter = 60 cm, radius = 30 cm
Circumference = 2πr = 2 × 227
× 30 = 188.57 cm
Distance in 100 revolutions = 188.57 × 100 = 18857 cm = 188.57 m
Answer: 188.57 m

Question 8
Circumference = 66 cm = 2πr
r = 66×7
44
= 10.5 cm
Quadrant area = 41 × πr2 = 1
4
× 22
7
× 110.25
1
= × 346.5 = 86.625 cm2
4
Answer: 86.625 cm2

Question 9
r = 28 cm
Circumference = 2πr = 2 × 227
× 28 = 176 cm = 1.76 m
For 1 km = 1000 m:
Number of revolutions = 1000
1.76
≈ 568.18
Answers: (i) 1.76 m, (ii) ≈ 568 revolutions

Question 10
If two rectangles have same area and same perimeter:
Area: ab = cd
Perimeter: 2(a + b) = 2(c + d) → a + b = c + d
With ab = cd and a + b = c + d, it follows that {a, b} = {c, d}
Therefore the rectangles are congruent.
Answer: Yes

13
Question 11
For trapezium with parallel sides a, b and height h:
Area = 12 (a + b)h
Proof: Divide trapezium into a rectangle (area = ah) and two triangles (total area
(b−a)h
= 2 )
Total = ah + (b−a)h
2
= (2a+b−a)h
2
= (a+b)h
2
Proved.

Questions 12-13
Using two trapeziums to form a parallelogram:

• Take two identical trapeziums and place one inverted on top of the other

• They form a parallelogram with base (a + b) and height h

• Area of parallelogram = (a + b)h

• Area of one trapezium = 12 (a + b)h

Question 14
Area of kite = 12 × d1 × d2
Algebra proof: A kite can be divided into 4 right triangles by its diagonals.
Geometric proof: The diagonals bisect each other at right angles, forming four right
triangles.

Question 15
(i) Rectangle ABCD: area = ab Rectangle PQRS: sides 2a, 2b, area = 4ab 4 copies of
ABCD will fit into PQRS (2 along each dimension)

(ii) Triangle ABC area = 21 × base × height Triangle PQR with sides doubled: area = 4
times larger 4 copies may or may not fit (depends on shape)

(iii) Triangle with sides tripled: area = 9 times larger 9 copies may or may not fit
(depends on shape)

Question 18
When circles are fitted in a rectangle in a hexagonal packing arrangement:

• Each circle occupies approximately 90.69% of its bounding square

• The maximum packing density is π

√
2 3
≈ 0.9069

• For n circles, total area ≈ n × πr2 , and rectangle area adjusts accordingly

14
Question 19
Nine identical rectangles stacked to form larger rectangle (area = 72 cm2 )
If each small rectangle has dimensions a × b:
9ab = 72 → ab = 8
The arrangement suggests the small rectangles are 3 × 3 stacked.
If the larger rectangle is 3 small rectangles wide and 3 high:
Width = 3a, Height = 3b
Perimeter of small rectangle = 2(a + b)
Since ab = 8, and from dimensions: a = 4, b = 2
Perimeter = 2(4 + 2) = 12 cm
Answer: 12 cm

Question 25
Two congruent circles passing through each other’s centers
Area enclosed = 2 × (sector area − triangle area)
◦ 2π
Sector angle
 = 120 = 3
2 2 sin 60◦
Area = 2 πr3 − r 2
 2 √ 2
= 2 πr3 − 3r4
√ 2
2πr2 3r
= 3
− 2√ 
= r 2 2π
3
− 23
 √ 
2π 3
Answer: r2 3
− 2

12 Chapter Summary
12.1 Key Formulas
1. Perimeter:

• Square: P = 4a
• Rectangle: P = 2(a + b)
• Circle: C = 2πr

2. Area:

• Rectangle: A = ab
• Parallelogram: A = bh
• Triangle: A = 21 bh
• Circle: A = πr2

3. Arc/Sector:

• Arc length: l = 2πr θ

360◦
• Sector area: A = θ


πr2 360 ◦

15
 4. Heron’s Formula: p
A= s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c)

5. Brahmagupta’s Formula:
p
A= (s − a)(s − b)(s − c)(s − d)

12.2 Important Constants

• π ≈ 3.14159 or 22
7

• π is irrational

• 355
113
is an excellent approximation

12.3 Key Concepts

• Stagger in athletics tracks compensates for different radii

• Area ratios remain constant for similar shapes

• π appears in both circumference and area formulas

16