Area and Perimeter (P5) Practice
Find areas and perimeters of composite figures made from rectangles, triangles, and parallelograms. Master the area of a triangle (½ × base × height) and handle problems with missing dimensions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the slant side instead of the perpendicular height for triangle area
Confusing perimeter (the boundary) with area (the enclosed space)
Forgetting to subtract 'cut-away' portions in composite figures
Practice Questions
Try each question. When you're stuck, reveal the Socratic strategy — a guided hint that teaches you how to think, not just what to write.
A triangle has a base of 14 cm and a perpendicular height of 9 cm. Find its area.
A composite shape is made from a rectangle (10 cm × 6 cm) with a right triangle (base 4 cm, height 6 cm) cut away from one corner. Find the area of the remaining shape.
A parallelogram has a base of 12 cm and a perpendicular height of 7 cm. Find its area.
Parent & Tutor Insight
Composite figure problems are where marks are most often lost. Encourage your child to always label the full shape first, then identify what needs to be added or subtracted. A tidy diagram prevents most errors.
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Common Questions
Why do students confuse 'height' and 'slant side' in triangles?
Most diagram triangles in textbooks show the height as the slant side. In real problems, the perpendicular height is always the vertical drop from the apex to the base. Reinforce this visually: the height always forms a right angle with the base.
Is volume covered in P5?
Volume of cubes and cuboids is introduced in P5. It is separate from Area and Perimeter but uses similar spatial reasoning. Ensure your child distinguishes between 2D (area) and 3D (volume) contexts.