Example

Finding the Perimeter of a 32-by-20-Meter Rectangle

Apply the geometry problem-solving strategy using the rectangle perimeter formula.

Problem: The length of a rectangle is 3232 meters and the width is 2020 meters. What is the perimeter?

  1. Read: A rectangle has L=32L = 32 m and W=20W = 20 m; find the perimeter. Draw and label the figure.
  2. Identify: The perimeter of the rectangle.
  3. Name: Let PP = the perimeter.
  4. Translate: Write the perimeter formula and substitute the given values:

P=2L+2WP = 2L + 2W

P=2(32)+2(20)P = 2(32) + 2(20)

  1. Solve: Multiply: P=64+40P = 64 + 40. Add: P=104P = 104.
  2. Check: Add all four sides individually: 20+32+20+32=10420 + 32 + 20 + 32 = 104 \checkmark
  3. Answer: The perimeter of the rectangle is 104104 meters.

This example demonstrates the direct application of P=2L+2WP = 2L + 2W: substitute both known dimensions, multiply each by 22, and add the results. The check step uses an alternative method — summing all four sides — to verify the answer independently.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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