Perimeter and area of rectangles: Class 6 practice
Perimeter is the distance around a shape (a length, in cm or m). Read the method, follow the three worked examples, then try the six questions.
What you should know first
- Units of length
- Multiplication
The idea behind perimeter and area of rectangles
Perimeter is the distance around a shape (a length, in cm or m). Area is the surface it covers (in cm² or m²). For a rectangle P = 2(l + b) and A = l × b.
Step-by-step method
- Write down l and b with units.
- Perimeter: 2(l + b).
- Area: l × b, in square units.
- For missing sides, rearrange: b = A ÷ l.
Worked example 1 (Basic)
A rectangle is 26 cm long and 13 cm wide. Find its perimeter and area.
- P = 2(26 + 13) = 78 cm
- A = 26 × 13 = 338 cm²
- Answer: P = 78 cm, A = 338 cm²
Worked example 2 (Standard)
A rectangular garden has area 140 m² and length 20 m. Find its breadth and perimeter.
- b = 140 ÷ 20 = 7 m
- P = 2(20 + 7) = 54 m
- Answer: b = 7 m, P = 54 m
Worked example 3 (Challenge)
A wire bent into a 18 cm × 17 cm rectangle is reshaped into a square. Find the side and area of the square.
- Wire length = 2(18 + 17) = 70 cm
- Square side = 70 ÷ 4 = 17.5 cm
- Area = 17.5² = 306.25 cm²
- Answer: side = 17.5 cm, area = 306.25 cm²
Common mistakes and misconceptions
- Writing area in cm instead of cm²
- Mixing up perimeter and area
Practice questions
- (Basic) A rectangle is 22 cm long and 21 cm wide. Find its perimeter and area.
- (Basic) A rectangle is 18 cm long and 9 cm wide. Find its perimeter and area.
- (Standard) A rectangular garden has area 540 m² and length 27 m. Find its breadth and perimeter.
- (Standard) A rectangular garden has area 812 m² and length 29 m. Find its breadth and perimeter.
- (Challenge) A wire bent into a 12 cm × 6 cm rectangle is reshaped into a square. Find the side and area of the square.
- (Challenge) A wire bent into a 8 cm × 4 cm rectangle is reshaped into a square. Find the side and area of the square.
Answer key with full working
- Q1: P = 2(22 + 21) = 86 cm → A = 22 × 21 = 462 cm² → Answer: P = 86 cm, A = 462 cm²
- Q2: P = 2(18 + 9) = 54 cm → A = 18 × 9 = 162 cm² → Answer: P = 54 cm, A = 162 cm²
- Q3: b = 540 ÷ 27 = 20 m → P = 2(27 + 20) = 94 m → Answer: b = 20 m, P = 94 m
- Q4: b = 812 ÷ 29 = 28 m → P = 2(29 + 28) = 114 m → Answer: b = 28 m, P = 114 m
- Q5: Wire length = 2(12 + 6) = 36 cm → Square side = 36 ÷ 4 = 9 cm → Area = 9² = 81 cm² → Answer: side = 9 cm, area = 81 cm²
- Q6: Wire length = 2(8 + 4) = 24 cm → Square side = 24 ÷ 4 = 6 cm → Area = 6² = 36 cm² → Answer: side = 6 cm, area = 36 cm²
Syllabus note
This skill is listed under "Mensuration" for Class 6 in the NCERT/CBSE books. ICSE, IGCSE, IB and state boards may teach it in a different chapter or year.
Answers on this page are generated and automatically re-checked by a second, independent calculation. They have not been reviewed by a teacher — if you spot a problem, tell us on WhatsApp.
Related practice and notes
Frequently asked questions
Which chapter is perimeter and area of rectangles in?
"Mensuration", Class 6 Maths (NCERT/CBSE). Other boards may place it differently.
How were the answers checked?
Answers on this page are generated and automatically re-checked by a second, independent calculation. They have not been reviewed by a teacher — if you spot a problem, tell us on WhatsApp.