CHAPTER 7

MENSURATION

Compendium:
A. Introduction
B. Perimeter
(i) Perimeter of a Triangle
(ii) Perimeter of Rectangle
(iii) Perimeter of Square
(iv) Perimeter of Polygon
C. Area
(i) Area of a Rectangle
(ii) Area of a Square
D. Bird’s Eye View
E. Solved Examples
F. Practice Yourself
G. Novice Level
H. Advanced Level
I. Solutions

1
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION

A. Introduction
Mensuration is that branch of mathematics that deals with the
surface area, volume, perimeter, length, breadth and height of
geometric shapes.

B. Perimeter
The word 'perimeter' has been derived from the Greek word 'peri'
meaning around, and 'metron', which means measure.
In geometry, the perimeter is the path or the boundary around a
shape. It is the length of the outline of a shape. It is the total length
of the sides of a two-dimensional shape.
For example, the total length of the boundary of the soccer field or
the length of the ribbon required to cover the border of a table mat
is the respective perimeteres.

Triangle
A triangle is a polygon with three sides, three angles and three
vertices.

2
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
(i) Perimeter of triangle

The perimeter of a triangle is the sum total of

all its three sides.
We can find the perimeter using the formula:
Perimeter of a triangle = sum of all three sides.
If a, b and c are the sides of the triangle, then,
Perimeter of triangle = a + b + c.
Example: Measure the perimeter of a triangle having sides 3 cm, 8
cm and 6 cm

Solution: Perimeter of a triangle

= Sum of all the three sides
= AB + BC + AC
= 3 cm + 8 cm + 6 cm
= 17 cm
Example: Find the perimeter of the triangle PQR whose sides are 6
cm, 10 cm and 8 cm.
Solution: Perimeter of a triangle
= Sum of all the three sides
= PQ + QR + RP
= 6 cm + 10 cm + 8 cm
= 24 cm

3
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
Rectangle
1. The rectangle is a 2D - 4 sided
polygon in which opposite sides
are equal and all the interior
angles are the right angle.
The properties of a rectangle are:
(i) All angles of a rectangle are 90º.
(ii) Opposite sides of a rectangle are equal in length.
(ii) Perimeter of a Rectangle
The perimeter of a rectangle is the total length of all four sides.
Hence, we can calculate the perimeter by adding all four sides of
a rectangle.

The perimeter of the rectangle is a + b + a + b. Since the opposite

sides of a rectangle are equal, we need to find the dimensions of
two adjacent sides to find the perimeter of a rectangle.
The perimeter of the above rectangle with sides ‘a units’ and ‘b
units’ is:
a + b + a + b = 2a + 2b = 2 (a + b) units.
Hence, the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle = 2 × (sum of
adjacent sides)
Example. The two sides of the rectangle are shown. Find the
perimeter of the rectangle.

4
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION

Solution: The two sides of the rectangle are given to be 2 cm and 5

cm.
The perimeter of a rectangle = 2 × (sum of the adjacent sides)
Hence, the perimeter of the rectangle = 2 × (5 + 2) = 2 × (7) = 14 cm.
Example. A rectangular playground is 20 m in length and 13 m in
breadth. What could be its perimeter?

Solution: The two sides of the rectangle are given to be 20 m and 13

m.
The perimeter of a rectangle = 2 × (sum of adjacent sides)
Hence, the perimeter of the rectangular ground = 2 × (20 + 13) = 2 ×
(33) = 66 m.

Square
It is a plane shape with four equal straight sides and four right
angles.
The properties of a square are:
(i) All the angles of a square are equal to 90º.
(ii) All sides of a square are equal in measure.

5
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
(iii) Perimeter of Square
A square is a special kind of rectangle in which all sides are equal.
So, we can find the perimeter of a square by multiplying one side
with 4 or by adding all its four sides.

The perimeter of the given square is a + a + a + a. Since all sides of

the square are equal, we only need one side to find the perimeter.
The perimeter of the given square is:
a + a + a + a = 4a units.
Hence, the formula of the perimeter of a square = 4 × (length of any
one side).
Example: The perimeter of the given square is given to be 12 cm.
Find its length.
Solution: The perimeter of the square = 12 cm.
Let the side length = a cm.
The perimeter of a square = 4 × (side length)
12=4×a
a = 3 cm.
Example. In the given square, a = 4 cm. Find b, c and d.

6
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
Solution: Given a = 4 cm.
To find the other sides b, c and d, we can use the property of square
that all of its sides are equal.
Therefore, a = b = c = d = 4 cm
Example: The side length of the square frame is 5 cm. Determine
the length of the wood used to make the frame.
Solution: The length of the side of this wooden frame is 5 cm.
As we know, the perimeter of a square = 4× (side length)
= 4 (5)
= 20 cm
Hence, the total length of the wood used is 20 cm.
(iv) Perimeter of polygons
We use a ruler to measure the length of the sides of a small shape.
The perimeter is found by adding the lengths of the edges of the
shape.
Example:
The perimeter of every polygon can be calculated by adding all the
lengths of their sides.
So if the polygon is regular, then the formula of the perimeter will be
Perimeter = N × S
(N = Number of sides, S = Length of one side)
Example:

7
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
Regular polygons Irregular polygons

Perimeter = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 perimeter of irregular

=16 cm polygons
OR = 5+3+2+4+3+7
Perimeter of regular polygons = = 24 cm
number of sides × length of one
side
=4x4
= 16

Checkpoint no 1

Find the perimeter

5. An envelope is 8 inches wide and 6 inches long. What is the

perimeter of the envelope?

8
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
6. The perimeter of a rectangle is 230 cm. If the rectangle is 70 cm
long, find its breadth.

C. Area
In geometry, the area can be defined as the space occupied by a flat
shape or the surface of an object. The area of a figure is the number
of unit squares that cover the surface of a closed figure. The area can
be measured in square units such as square centimeters or square
meters.
The area of the squares below, with sides 1 centimeter each, will be
measured in square centimeters (cm²).

(i) Area of Rectangle

It is the region covered by the rectangle shape. In other words, the
space enclosed within the perimeter of the rectangle is known as
the area of a rectangle.
Some examples of rectangular figures are walls, agricultural fields,
parks, blackboard, laptop, tiles etc.

9
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
Calculating the area of a rectangle:
To find the area of a rectangle, we use the unit squares. Divide the
rectangle into unit squares, as shown. The area of a rectangle is the
total number of unit squares in it.

Thus, the total area of the rectangle ABCD is 48 sq. inch. Using this
approach, we find that the area of a rectangle is always the product
of its two adjacent sides. Here, the length of AB is 8 inches and that
of BC is 6 inches. Thus, the area of rectangle ABCD will be 6 x 8, which
is equal to 48.
So The Area of the above rectangle with sides ‘a units’ and ‘b units’
is:
Area = a × b
Hence, the formula for the Area of a rectangle = Product of any two
adjacent sides.
Example: A rectangular playground is 20 m long and 13 m wide. Find
its Area?

Solution: The side of the rectangular playground is 20 m and the

other side is 13 m.

10
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
We know that, the area of a rectangle = Product of any two adjacent
sides.
Therefore, the perimeter of the rectangular ground = (20 × 13) = 260
m-sq
Example: Tisha has a suitcase whose length is 22 inches and width
is 18 inches. Find the area of the suitcase?
Solution:
The suitcase is rectangle in shape
Area of rectangle = Length × Breadth = 22 ×18 = 396 in².

(ii) Area of a Square

1. The area of a 2D shape is the region covered by it. In the case of a
given square, the space shaded in blue is the area of the square.

The space covered by the swimming pool above can be found by

finding the area of the pool.
Find the number of unit squares that are required to fill a shape; this
will give us the area of that shape. The total number of unit squares
in a given shape is known as its area.
Imagine a 3 cm long square. It can be covered with 3 rows and 3
columns of unit squares.

11
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
Area of each unit square = 1 sq. cm.
The total number of squares = 3 x 3 = 9.
So, the total area = 9 sq. cm.
Example: A square-shaped chocolate cake needs icing on top. If
each side of the cake is 18 m long, what area of the cake needs icing?

The area covered in icing is equal to the area of the square on top of
the cake.
Length of each side = 18 m. Area = 18 x 18 = 324 sq. m.
Therefore, the top area of the cake that will need icing will be 324
square meters.

Checkpoint no 2

1. The area of a square-shaped park is 81 m2. Find the cost of fencing

the park with a wire at the rate of $2.25 per meter.
2. A square and rectangle have equal areas. If the side of the square
is 20 cm and the breadth of the rectangle 10 cm, find the length
of the rectangle and its perimeter.
3. Find the perimeter and area of the square whose dimensions are
16 cm?
4. The area of a rectangle is 96 cm². If the rectangle is 8 cm wide,
find its length and perimeter.

12
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION

D. Bird’s-eye view

1. Perimeter: It can also be defined as the length of the outline of a

shape.

2. Area: The area can be defined as the space occupied by a flat

shape or the surface of an object.
3. The rectangle is a 2D - 4 sided polygon in which opposite sides
are equal and all the interior angles are the right angle.
4. Square: A plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right
angles.
5. Triangle: A triangle is a polygon with three sides, three angles and
three vertices.

E. Solved examples

1. The area of the rectangle is:

(a) Length + Breadth (b) Length × Breadth
(c) None of these (d) Length × Length
Answer: (b) Length × Breadth
2. Area of a square is :
(a) Side × Side (b) Side + Side
(c) Length + Breadth (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Side × Side.

13
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
3. Determine the area of a rectangle of length 12 cm and breadth 3

cm?

Answer: Area of rectangle = Length × Breadth

= 12 ×3 = 36cm²

4. If the side of the square is 40 m find its perimeter and its area?

Answer: Side = 40 m
Area of square = S * S = 40 * 40 = 1600 m²
Perimeter of square = 4 * S = 4 * 40 = 160 m
5. Find the perimeter of the rectangle whose sides are given?

Answer: Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 ×(length + breadth)

= 2 ×(8 + 4)
= 2 ×12 = 24 m
6. Find the breadth of the platform of 20 m in length having an area
of 380 sq.m.?
Answer: The Platform is rectangle in shape
Area of rectangle = Length × Breadth
380 = 20 *×Breadth
B = 380/20 = 19 m
7. Find the perimeter of an equilateral triangle whose one side is 5
cm.
Answer: A triangle in which all the sides are equal is called an
equilateral triangle.

14
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
Perimeter of the equilateral triangle = 3 × side
= 3 × 5 cm
= 15 cm
8. The side of a square field is 84 m. What length of wire will be
needed for fencing all around the field?
Answer: The total length of the wire = perimeter of that field
Perimeter of square = 4 × S = 4 × 84 = 336 m
9. The perimeter of a rectangular park is 320 m. Find its breadth if its
length is 120 m?
Answer: Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 ×(length + breadth)
320 = 2 × (120 + B)
160 = 120 + B
B = 160 - 120 = 40 m
10. Find the perimeter of a triangle whose length of three sides is 8
cm, 11 cm, 13 cm.
Answer: To find the perimeter of the triangle, we add all the sides
together.
Perimeter of a triangle
= Sum of all the three sides
= 8 cm + 11 cm + 13 cm
= 32 cm

15
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION

F. Practice Yourself

1. Find the perimeter and area of the following rectangles:

(a) length = 17 m breadth = 13 m
(b) length = 5.1 cm breadth = 6.9 cm
2. Find the perimeter of a triangle whose sides are 5 cm, 2 cm and 3
cm.
3. How many tiles of length and breadth 13 cm and 7 cm respectively
are needed to cover a rectangular field of length and breadth 520
cm and 140 cm?
4. Find the third side of a triangle, whose two sides are 10 cm and 9
cm and the perimeter is 36 cm.
5. Find the perimeter and area of the square whose dimensions are
5.3 m?
6. Find the perimeter of a square whose area is 625 cm².
7. Find the area of the square whose perimeter is 440 cm.
8. The area of a square field is 100 acres. Find its perimeter.
9. Determine the L of the following, if Perimeter = 32 m

[Link] three sides of a triangle are in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4 and the

perimeter 225 m. Find all the sides.

16
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION

1. Find the cost of tiling a rectangular field that is 300 m long and 150
m wide at the rate of $6 per 100 squared meters.
2. If it costs $1600 to fence a rectangular park of length 20 m at the
rate of $25 per meter, find the breadth of the park and its
perimeter. Also, find the area of the field
3. The length of a rectangular board is three times its breadth. If the
breadth of the board is 120 cm, find the cost of framing it at the
rate of $5 for 20 cm.
4 How many square tiles 9 cm wide will be needed to cover a square
floor of side 720 cm.
5. If each side of an equilateral triangle is 9cm, Find its perimeter.
6. If it costs $2400 to fence a square field at the rate of $6 per meter,
find the side length and the area of the field.
Perimeter = (Total cost)/(Cost per m²)
7. A wire in the shape of a rectangle with a breadth 22 cm is bent to
form a square of side 31 cm. Find the length of the rectangle. Also,
find which shape encloses more area.
8. The sides of a triangle are in the ratio 14 : 18 : 26, and its perimeter
is 580 cm. Find all the sides?
9. Raheem bought some wrapping paper which was 9 ft. long and 9
ft. wide. What could be the perimeter of the wrapping paper he
bought?

17
 CHAPTER 7
MENSURATION
10. If the perimeter of a triangle is 400 cm and two sides of the
triangle are the same and one side of the triangle is 100 cm. Find
the rest of the sides.

Solutions

Checkpoint - 1
Answers :
1. 24 cm 2. 46 cm 3. 36 cm 4. 20 cm
5. 28 in 6. 45 cm
Checkpoint - 2
Answers
1. $81 2. 40 cm, 100 cm 3. 64 cm, 256 cm²
4. 12 cm, 40 cm

Novice level

1. (a) 221m², 60m (b) 35.19 m², 24m 2. 10 cm

3. 800 tiles 4. 17cm 5. 21.2 m, 28.09 m²
6. 100 cm 7. 12100 cm² 8. 40 acres
9. 14 m 10. 50 cm , 75 cm , 100 cm

Advance level

1. $2700 2. b =12 m, P = 64 m, A = 240 m²

3. $240 4. 6400 5. 27 cm
6. 100 m, 10000 m² 7. l = 40 cm, square
8. 140cm, 180cm, 260cm 9. 36 ft 10. 150 cm, 150 cm

18