Area or Perimeter? Word Problems Worksheet

Let’s solve each problem one by one, deciding whether to use area (for covering space) or perimeter (for distance around the edge), and then calculate accordingly.

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Problem 1:

> Dr. Delilah owns Fluffy Friends Medical Center. She wants to fence an outdoor space for dogs to play. If the space is 20 feet long and 20 feet wide, how much fencing is needed?

✔ This is a PERIMETER problem — fencing goes *around* the space.

The space is a rectangle (20 ft long × 20 ft wide) → actually a square.

Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 × (length + width)
= 2 × (20 + 20)
= 2 × 40
= 80 feet

✔ Answer: 80 feet of fencing is needed.

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Problem 2:

> Old MacDonald has a square-shaped farm. A side is 208 feet long. If MacDonald walks around the edge of his property, how many feet will he walk?

✔ This is a PERIMETER problem — walking *around the edge*.

Since it’s a square, all 4 sides are equal.

Perimeter of a square = 4 × side length
= 4 × 208
= 832 feet

✔ Answer: He will walk 832 feet.

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Problem 3:

> George’s bedroom measures 12 feet square. Jerry’s bedroom is 11 feet long and 13 feet wide. Who has more floor space?

✔ This is an AREA problem — “floor space” means how much area the room covers.

- George’s room: “12 feet square” means it’s a square with each side 12 ft.
→ Area = side × side = 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft

- Jerry’s room: rectangle, 11 ft × 13 ft
→ Area = 11 × 13 = 143 sq ft

Compare: 144 > 143

✔ Answer: George has more floor space.

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Problem 4:

> The playground at Watson Elementary is a perfect rectangle. If it’s 100 yards long and 75 yards wide, then what is the distance around?

✔ This is a PERIMETER problem — “distance around” = perimeter.

Perimeter of rectangle = 2 × (length + width)
= 2 × (100 + 75)
= 2 × 175
= 350 yards

✔ Answer: The distance around is 350 yards.

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Problem 5:

> Mr. Rabbit is planting a square-shaped carrot garden. If it’s eight feet long on each side, how many square feet will it cover?

✔ This is an AREA problem — “how many square feet will it cover” = area.

It’s a square, so:

Area = side × side = 8 × 8 = 64 sq ft

✔ Answer: It will cover 64 square feet.

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## ✔ Final Answers Summary:

1. 80 feet
2. 832 feet
3. George
4. 350 yards
5. 64 square feet

Remember:
→ Perimeter = distance around (fencing, walking around, etc.)
→ Area = space covered (floor space, garden coverage, etc.)

Let me know if you’d like to see diagrams or step-by-step drawings!